ABOUT
Born 1969, Morciano di Romagna, Italy
His practice is driven by his interest in the contemporary social or environmental aspects. The aim is to restore a perception of contemporary life through images that resonate with a collective memory. Giovannini sees making art as a crucial relationship between thought and constant practice of one’s craft, and has worked with a number of disciplines, among which printmaking has emerged as his primary instrument for investigating reality. His works – prints, installations, artists’ books – have been exhibited internationally. Since the mid-1990s, he has combined his visual art practice with performing arts, cinema and music. Those parallel pathways have deeply influenced his approach to making and exhibiting his works, while at the same time the need to delve into experiences and environments radically removed from his ordinary life has pushed him to design and complete a variety of solo and group projects. These were included in exhibitions and editorial productions.In 1995, Umberto cofounded VACA, which for over twenty years has been a reference for artists, filmmakers and writers. Umberto in 2009 established the Opificio della Rosa, a low environmental impact printmaking centre comprised of three studios, hosting and supporting artists of different nationalities and backgrounds engaged in experimental projects.Since 2016 he has been president of the Renate Herold Czaschka Foundation, dedicated to printmaking and artists’ books. His artistic practice is complemented with teaching. He is currently Lecturer in Art & Design at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London.His latest publication is Printmaking Tales.
He lives and works in Italy and the UK.
ACTIVITIES 2018-2024
ROYAL ACADEMY SUMMER EXHIBITION2024, Royal Academy of the Arts, London, UKArtist selected for the group exhibition.
INTERNATIONAL PRINTMAKING PRIZE ENZO DE MARTINO2024, Casa Falconieri, Cagliari, ItalyWinner of the residency - May 2024.Artist selected for the group exhibition, catalogue ISBN 9788867913244
ROYAL ACADEMY SUMMER EXHIBITION 2023, Royal Academy of the Arts, London, UK Artist selected for the group exhibition.
WOOLWICH CONTEMPORARY PRINT FAIR 2023, Woolwich Arsenal, London, UK Artist selected for the group exhibition.
IGNIS 2021, Stigliano (MT), Italy - Paper installation in the Baroque Church of San Vincenzo. Art residency project commissioned by the public art festival 'Appartengo'.
ON PAPER VI 2020-2021, Castello di San Michele, Cagliari, Italy Artist selected for the group exhibition, catalogue ISBN 9788867912872
QUEEN SONJA PRINT AWARD 2020, Munch Museet, Oslo, Sweden Artist nominated for the award.
PUNTO, LINEA, SUPERFICIE 2020, Museo della città di Rimini Artist invited at the group exhibition of artists' books.
XILOPRINT 2019, Museu Casa da Xilogravura, Campos do Jordão, Brasil Artist invited. Honourable mention.
FABRIANO PAPER PAVILION - A WONDERFUL JOURNEY 2019, Complesso Storico delle Cartiere Miliani, Fabriano, Italy On the occasion of XIII UNESCO Creative Cities Conference. Now permanent exhibition. Curator of the project commissioned by Cartiere di Fabriano and Fondazione Fedrigoni Fabriano Designer of the double catalogue: Maria Pina Bentivenga, Torri, Morciano di Romagna, Opificio della Rosa, 2021. ISBN 9788894194005 Gianna Bentivenga, Muta, Morciano di Romagna, Opificio della Rosa, 2021. ISBN 9788894194098
RESONANCE BETWEEN CIVILIZATIONS 2019, Guanlan Printmaking Museum, Shenzhen, China Artist selected for group exhibition.
UMBERTO GIOVANNINI - LINA, CAPITOLO TERZO 2019 (April-August), Museo della Città, Rimini, Italy Solo exhibition and site-specific installation of the project LINA. Artist's book presentation: Umberto Giovannini, Walter Pretolani, Parole per LINA, 2019
UMBERTO GIOVANNINI - LINA, CAPITOLO SECONDO 2019, Arionte Arte Contemporanea, Catania, Italy Solo exhibition of the project LINA and presentation of the book: Umberto Giovannini, LINA, Morciano di Romagna, Opificio della Rosa, 2019. ISBN 9788894194081
UMBERTO GIOVANNINI - LINA-CAPITOLO PRIMO 2018, Galleria Atelier, Roma, Italy Solo exhibition of the project LINA and presentation of the artist book: Umberto Giovannini, LINA Xiloreportage Roma-Catania, 2018
SOME BOOKS WRITTEN
Giovannini, U. (2022), Printmaking tales, Morciano di Romagna, Opificio della Rosa. ISBN 9788894194043For sell: https://www.fabrianoboutique.com/fabriano_it_en/07700101
Giovannini, U. (2011), Giuseppe Maestri. Ravenna senza tempo, Russi, VACA. ISBN 9788890315275
Giovannini, U. (2009), Jürgen Czaschka, Biffando l'assoluto. I bulini, Russi, VACA. ISBN 9788890315251
Giovannini, U. (2009), La bella scuola. In, Russi, VACA. ISBN 9788890315251
Giovannini, U. (2007), Colori e anima di una terra. L'opera grafica degli imolesi Buscaroli, Della Volpe, Trombetti, Russi, VACA. ISBN 9788890138882
Giovannini, U. (2006), Giannetto Malmerendi. Dall'avanguardia alla visione epica. Le xilografie, Russi, VACA. ISBN 9788890138866
Giovannini, U. (2005), Colore e libertà. La bella stagione della xilografia in Romagna, Russi, VACA. ISBN 9788890138843
Giovannini, U. (2004), Gino Barbieri. Sogni di pace, venti di guerra, le xilografie, Russi, VACA. ISBN 9788890138815
