Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Ugo Rondinone Biography
Ugo Rondinone, born on November 30, 1964, in Brunnen, Switzerland, is a multifaceted artist whose work spans across various mediums including sculpture, painting, video, sound, and photography. His art, deeply rooted in the exploration of the human condition and the natural world, has established him as a significant figure in contemporary art on a global scale.
Rondinone's early life in Switzerland, born to Italian parents, laid the foundation for his artistic journey. His father, a mason, grew up in Matera, Italy, a city known for its ancient cave dwellings and rich historical tapestry. This background influenced Rondinone's fascination with natural materials and forms, a recurring theme in his work. He pursued his formal education in art at the Hochschule für Angewandte Kunst in Vienna from 1986 to 1990, where he was exposed to a wide range of artistic influences and practices.
In the early 1990s, Rondinone rose to international acclaim with his diverse body of work that defies easy categorization. His art is characterized by the use of metaphoric and iconographic images such as clouds, animals, and figures, as well as powerful declarative sayings like “Hell, Yes!” By co-opting the language of psychedelia and advertising, he conveys his profound interest in the contemplation of everyday life and activities. Rondinone sees art-making as a ritual, a meditation for himself, a way to create his own rites and to spend time with himself, excluding himself from society.
Rondinone's work is deeply influenced by the German Romantic movement, focusing on the relationship between the natural world and the human condition, and nature's sublime. His partnership with the late poet and performer John Giorno, whom he met in 1997 and remained with until Giorno's passing in 2019, had a significant impact on his work. Their relationship and Giorno's influence are evident in Rondinone's thematic exploration of time, love, and the human experience.
One of Rondinone's most recognized works is the large-scale land art sculpture "Seven Magic Mountains" (2016–2021), located in the Nevada desert. This installation features seven towering totems of brightly colored boulders, standing as a creative critique of the simulacra of destinations like Las Vegas. The work is a testament to Rondinone's ability to blend the natural with the artificial, creating a space for contemplation and interaction with the landscape.
Rondinone has represented Switzerland at the Venice Biennale and has had his work exhibited in prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Whitechapel Gallery in London, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. His exhibitions often feature a wide range of media, from installation and sculpture to painting and video, each piece imbued with a sense of melancholy, contemplation, and existential inquiry.
Throughout his career, Rondinone has remained committed to exploring the depths of the human psyche and the complexities of the natural world. His work invites viewers to engage in a dialogue with themselves and the environment, encouraging a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all things. Rondinone lives and works in New York, continuing to push the boundaries of contemporary art with his innovative and thought-provoking creations.
Ugo Rondinone Quotes and Sales
of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
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informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
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