Patrizia Salles
“I love contrasts, the earth and movement — heavily textured backgrounds highlighted with opulent touches."
Biography
Born in Bordeaux, France, by the age of six Patrizia had crisscrossed three continents. At age seven Patrizia was creating geometric abstracts in oil pastels. School years saw Patrizia the recipient of numerous art prizes, culminating in a Gold — National Scholastic Key Award in New York. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in graphic design at Art Institute of Atlanta and spent 25 years in marketing and communications at the helm of a top Houston, Texas design firm. In 2000 Patrizia returned to her art full time, opening a Caribbean studio in 2005.
Patrizia's art is found in museums, public gardens and private collections across the globe. Her largest commission: a 12 sqm (35 sql) mosaic swimming pool overlooking the Caribbean waters. Her art is showcased in "Mosaic Art Today", a fine art book featuring top international artists, Schiffer Publishing, NY. Patrizia relocated to Italy in 2016 seeking new influences and further artistic growth. She opened at the Ligurian State Museum marventimiglia.com with "Madre Terra: In our Hands" in the summer of 2019. The three-month solo show featured 27 paintings and three large statues.
Her life and art, a divide between "Old World" and "New World" examines cultural differences, spirituality and beliefs, interpretations of past influences, societal change and interchange. Her lighter and brighter works reflect beauty, hope and a gratefulness to nature — motion and texture playing an important part in her creations. The plight of women and humanity in our contemporary culture is also a focus in Patrizia's work, "those who live a life they did not choose — of freedom in absentia."
Today, Patrizia continues her studied in ancient civilizations and archeology, a passion acquired during her years living and travel in the Mediterranean and Texas . . . and her journey of exploration and diversity continues — of place, culture and time.
Influences
Dali, michelangelo, gaudi, klimt, modigliani, pisarro, calder, erte, wyeth, giacometti
Education
2011-2011 Master in Mosaics Venezia, Italy
1999-2001 Private study Professor Pablo Bobbio Venezuela Houston, Texas, United States
2001-2001 Lectures and study Accademia di Belli Arti G. Carrara Bergamo, Italy
1982-1984 Jewelry Professor Zilker, Glassell School of art, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Texas, United States
1976-1979 Graphic arts and Design, Art Institute of Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia, United States
1975-1976 Intaglio printing (printmaking), ceramics, drawing Omaha, Nebraska, United States
1974-1975 Drawing, Painting, Joslyn Museum Omaha, Nebraska, United States
The artist at work
Solo Expositions
2022 Seasons of the Riviera Bordighera, IM, Italy
2021 io sono / i am me Bordighera, Italy
2019 Madre Terra: Nelle nostre Mani Ventimiglia, Italy
2018 Voci dal Passato Bordighera, Italy
2011 Things Fall to Pieces Charlestown, St. Kitts & Nevis
Collective Expositions
2023 Terra! Rome, Lazio, Italy
2022 Fiori d'Arte Madrid, Spain
2021 Luxembourg Art Fair Luxembourg, Luxembourg
2021 Biennale D'Art Contemporain Sacre Mentone, France
2019 Biennale D'Art Contemporain Sacre Mentone, France
2010 Artist Collaborative st. Martin Marigot, St. Martin
2000 Group Exhibition - Latin Cultural Center Houston, Texas, United States
Permanent Collections
2021 Madre Terra Sculpture Finds Permanent Home Ventimiglia, IM, Italy
2021 Museo d'Arte e Cibo Bologna, Italy
2020 Diana Sculpture in Giardini Pubblici Mons. Tommaso Reggio Ventimiglia, Italy
2019 Four mixed media canvases from the Madre Terra Exhibition in Italy Collection Mortola, IM, Italy
2019 Museo Archeologico G. Rossi Ventimiglia, Italy
2014 "Afrikana and Zebra Vases" Charlestown, Nevis, St. Kitts & Nevis
2008 Pelican House Charlestown, St. Kitts & Nevis
Residencies
2021 Madre Terra Residency at Girolamo Rossi (M.A.R.) Ventimiglia, Liguria, Italy
2019 Madre Terra Residency at Girolamo Rossi (M.A.R.) Ventimiglia, Liguria, Italy
Publications & Press
2018 La citta' alta e Mentone Celebrano l'arte "A Mare" Bordighera, Liguria, Italy
