simonetti
bio
michele simonetti [b. 1976, italy] lives and works in brooklyn, new york. after receiving his masters in architecture from the university of florence [2002], he developed a passion for architectural brutalism and minimalism. he moved to new york in 2014, where he expanded his interest to the intersection of architecture and contemporary art. through a play between abstraction and representation, his painting practice explores the relationship between real and imagined worlds, personal and collective memories. recent exhibitions include solo and group shows in new york and miami [us], milan, rome and florence [it].
italian artist based in brooklyn, new york. inspiration for his work stems from direct observation of his surroundings. using sharp lines and high-contrast color fields, simonetti synthesizes the urban landscape into compositions of minimal purity and spatial tension. through abstraction and simplicity, he is able to find a shared visual language that can relate to everyone personally, culturally and emotionally. the forms are purposefully stripped of any identifying feature, becoming universal references that trigger unexpected memories and build an intimate connection with the viewer.
chromatic distortion is another technique used by the artist to divert the audience’s attention from the original subjects. across the canvases float thick and textured color fields in navy blue, cerulean, maroon, or gold. ample negative spaces invite the viewer to use their imagination and build unique and personal narratives: it is an invitation to action. simonetti says: “my work is an investigation on personal and collective memories, real and imagined worlds. I am looking for a common ground, a place of shared visual experiences.”
I paint minimalist abstract compositions that explore the relationship between real and imagined worlds, personal and collective memories. living in new york city, my inspiration comes from my immediate surroundings: the corner of a townhouse, the curved edge of a rooftop, the silhouette of a skyscraper. the original urban references, however, are stripped of any specific feature to achieve purity of lines, colors, and geometries. in doing so, I seek to create generic and familiar landscapes that evoke memories that are intimate and personal. the use of ample negative space and stark chromatic contrasts are further invitations for the viewer to fill the voids with their own imagination and identify in each piece. by exploring a shared visual language, I discover the fascinating complexity of human perception.
exibitions
04.2025 | in line - out of line | agora gallery | new york [us]
01.2025 | the essence of abstraction | agora gallery | new york [us]
04.2025 | cityscapes | d.a.t.e. flagship store | milano [it]
10.2024 | red | loy luo space | new york [us]
09.2024 | trasposizioni | breckenridge gallery | montaione [it]
09.2024 | gold | loy luo space | new york [us]
07.2024 | alfabeto astratto | aaie center for contemporary art | roma [it]
06.2024 | alfabeto astratto | l. bellini museum | firenze [it]
04.2024 | magnifica | aaie center for contemporary art | roma [it]
03.2024 | child mind institute permanent collection | new york [us]
01.2024 | arte collezionismo | le murate | firenze [it]
01.2024 | tristate italian art prize | consulate general of italy | new york [us]
12.2023 | art symposium | le murate | firenze [it]
12.2023 | act VII | galeria azur | miami [us]
12.2023 | red dot | miami art week | miami [us]
11.2023 | wonder art | ma-ec palazzo durini | milan [it]
10.2023 | salon show | greenpoint gallery | brooklyn [us]
10.2023 | act VI | galeria azur | miami [us]
09.2023 | the advent of modernity | agora gallery | new york [us]
09.2023 | dreamars IV | hub/art | milan [it]
07.2023 | the backroom collection | the shirley project space | brooklyn [us]
07.2023 | the mind's eye | agora gallery | new york [us]
06.2023 | break a leg | museo bellini | firenze [it]
features
04.2025 | cityscapes | exhibition catalogue | milano [it]
01.2025 | monochromica #001 | new wave books printed magazine | sheridan, wy [us]
10.2024 | spotlight magazine #39 | circle foundation | printed magazine | lyon [fr]
06.2024 | alfabeto astratto | printed catalogue | curated by a. milot | roma [it]
04.2024 | magnifica | printed catalogue | curated by f. mazzeo gallo | roma [it]
03.2024 | artistic tribe nyc, vol 1 | printed catalogue | curated by nom de plume | new york [us]
12.2023 | cai | catalogo artisti italiani 2023 | printed catalogue | curated by g. coronas, v. venneri
12.2023 | italiareportusa | miami art week, l' artista italiano simonetti si racconta [interview] | miami [us]
11.2023 | wonder art | printed catalogue | curated by v. agosti | milan [it]
10.2023 | artist close up | printed magazine | october issue | berlin [de]
09.2023 | the advent of modernity | printed catalogue | curated by f. mazzeo gallo | roma [it]
09.2023 | dreamars IV | printed catalogue | curated by e. amos | milan [it]
09.2023 | artist tribe | printed magazine | vol. I/05 | new york [us]
08.2023 | building tomorrow and today in the city and in art | art-mine newsletter | new york [us]
08.2023 | beyond blueprints | art-mine blog | new york [us]
07.2023 | crafting a shared visual language | aatonau.com | tokyo [jp]
06.2023 | break a leg | catalogue | firenze [it]
press
10times.com 1stdibs.com aatonau.com agora-gallery.net allevants.in amica.it artbase.com artforum.com artmo.com artnet.com artpickle.com artrabbit.com artspacemilano.com artsy.com artweek.com cityguidemagazine.com citytour.com crisalidepress.it donyc.com eleventary.com europapress.es eventbrite.com events.com eventsget.com eventsnearhere.com exhibart.com fashionnetwork.com forbes.es fuorisalone.it grazia.it happeningnext.com hub-art.org hubstyle.sport-press.it iconmagazine.it ilgiornaleoff.it ilnewyorkese.com informazione.it iodonna.it italiareportusa.com larepubblica.com lavocedinewyork.com milanotoday.it moemoline.com mutualart.com newyorksocialdiary.com notimerica.com panorama.it saatchiart.com socialweb.com theartguide.com ultimatetrendymag.com vanityfair.it weeklyaffair.us widewalls.ch yelp.com yesmilano.it