The sculpture “For the Construction of an Oasis” by Mario Schifano, created in 1979, develops vertically as a stylised vegetal form, identifiable as a palm tree, a recurring subject in Schifano’s production from the 1970s onwards.
The structure consists of a segmented metal trunk supporting a crown composed of shaped elements painted in green and blue tones. Furthermore, the use of iron sheet, an industrial material, reflects the artist’s interest in transforming pictorial images into three-dimensional objects. As a result, the sculpture stands in continuity with his research into the relationship between artificial nature and contemporary visual languages.
Schifano, a central figure in Italian art of the second half of the twentieth century, is known for moving between painting, installation, and sculpture with an experimental approach. In particular, towards the end of the 1970s, the artist developed a series of works connected to the theme of the symbolic landscape, often inspired by simplified and isolated natural elements. At the same time, these works maintain a strong connection to his painterly practice, evident in both the chromatic choices and the stylisation of forms.
In summary, “For the Construction of an Oasis” represents a significant example of Mario Schifano’s sculptural production, in which image, material, and space combine to create an autonomous object fully consistent with his artistic vision.
Description: Iron sheet sculpture, bearing on the base the title, the artist’s signature, and the inscription P.A., H cm 245 – maximum diameter cm 85.
Provenance: private collection – Bologna; Galleria Fontanella Borghese – Rome.
Hammer Price: € 4.500,00
Auction 74 – September 10th 2024 – 20th century design and decorative arts
All works by Mario Schifano presented at auction
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