Paolo Ventura’s current exhibit, “An Invented World” at Galerie XII in Los Angeles, spans a decade of work. His latest series aptly titled “Collages” features unique works made up of 30 painted panels and cut out photographs. “Collages” pushes the boundaries of photography by mixing in elements of paint and architecture, creating surreal worlds of the artist’s imagination that mesmerize and enchant its audience. 

Unlike the usual photography that fans of Ventura have come to love, these collages give collectors a chance to take home a one of a kind work by the artist. 

As Paolo Ventura has done in the past, these works often include self-portraiture and feature members of his family: his wife and son. The scenes he depicts are inspired by real-life: a day at the beach, playing in the neighborhood, or multi-colored buildings. But they also have an otherworldly quality to them, as these moments the artist captures seem to stand alone in their depiction, taking center stage in the scene laid out. This is not unusual for Ventura as his work has historically included a theatrical quality to it, from building dioramas to costuming and posing on a stage for his photography.

Paolo Ventura has been the subject of more than forty-five international solo exhibitions since 2006 and was featured in the Italian pavilion of the 2011 Venice Biennale. His work is held in prominent collections of museums across Europe and North America and is featured in the current exhibition “Make Believe” at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. He lives and works in Italy.   
 

Galerie XII Los Angeles is open Wednesday – Saturday from 11:30am – 6pm and by appointment: la@galeriexii.com / 323-917-5106. For press requests, contact emma@ehprgroup.com / 917-892-4700, or la@galeriexii.com.

About Galerie XII

Galerie XII Los Angeles was founded by Valerie-Anne Giscard d’Estaing in 2018. The LA gallery is the brand’s third international space, following the debut of Galerie XII Paris in 2007 and Galerie XII Shanghai, which opened in 2017.  The galleries have showcased the works of top international photographers including Willy Ronis, Guy Bourdin, William Claxton, Benno Graziani. Jean-Marie Périer, Anja Niemi, Mona Kuhn and Paolo Ventura. 

The editorial line of Galerie XII Los Angeles centers on contemporary figurative photography and its programming aims to exhibit established European and Asian photographers and artists who have not previously shown on the West Coast. The gallery organizes five or six solo exhibitions each year and participates in several art fairs. Galerie XII Los Angeles is located near LA’s famed Museum Row on Miracle Mile (6150 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048). www.galeriexii.com