Renata Giannelli

Opere Uniche
Renata Giannelli

Artist Bio

Renata Giannelli, a Milanese artist, embarked on her creative journey at the renowned Polytechnic School of Design before earning a Bachelor’s degree in Painting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna. As a Graphic Designer and illustrator, Renata’s collaborations with Italian publishing houses and her tenure as Art Director at Cappelli and Nicola Milano Editore solidified her presence in the artistic landscape.

Renata’s exploration of experimental art techniques, including handmade paper, culminated in critical acclaim and market success, leading to the foundation of the company “Il Navile Graphic Editions.” Recognized for her commitment to quality and innovation, Renata was awarded the Excellence Award by the Chamber of Commerce of Bologna in 2004.

In 2007, she transformed her enterprise into a cultural association, fostering artistic research and exhibition activities. In 2013, Renata established “La Scuola della Carta,” pioneering creative applications of handmade paper in art and design, and earning accreditation for training internships at the Academy of Fine Arts.

Renata’s influence extends beyond her artwork; she serves as the Art Director of the BO it! International Illustration Competition and designed a collection for Interior Design commissioned exclusively by Top Art in 2017. In 2020, Renata’s laboratory merged into the Social Cooperative Arti e Mestieri of Bologna, underscoring her dedication to the therapeutic potential of art in mental health treatment.

Exhibition

’85 – Installation – Bentivoglio Castle (BO) – solo exhibition
’86 – Siena- Palazzo del Comune- Engraving exhibition
’86 – Barcelona (Spain) – International exhibition of illustration for children
’87 – Galleria Il Graffio – Bologna. Exhibition of engravings
’87 – Philadelphia (USA) – Biennial of Graphic Art
’87 – Gallery Q Bò – Bologna. Installations
’87 – Palazzo Re Enzo. Biennial of young artists
’90 – Arte Fiera,Contemporary Art Fair, Bologna
’91 – The Artist’s Charter, Belgioioso Castle, Pavia. solo exhibition
’91 – Studio Virando, Turin – solo exhibition
’91 – Arte Fiera, Bologna – solo exhibition
’92 – Arte Fiera, Bologna-solo exhibition
’93 – Joannart Gallery, Vicenza.
’93 – Arte Fiera, Bologna-solo exhibition
’94 – Joannart Gallery, Vicenza.
’94- “la carta dell’artista”, Castello del Belgioioso, Pavia.
’95 / ’96 / ’97 – Arte Fiera, Bologna-solo shows
’97 – Saga, Paris. Solo show
’97 Art Jonction, Nice. Solo show ‘
’97 – Art Multiple, Düsseldorf. Solo show
’98 – Arte Fiera, Bologna. Solo show
’98 -Art Multiple-Innsbruck. Solo show
’98 – Frankfurt Book Fair,. Solo show
’99 – Arte Fiera, Bologna. Solo show
’99 – Niagara Gallery, Düsseldorf. Solo show
’00 – Gallery 454, Detroit (USA). Solo show
’00 – Parker-Herzogenaurach Gallery, Nuremberg (G). Solo show
’00 – König Gallery – Grossostheim, Frankfurt (G). Solo show
’00 – Arte Fiera, Bologna. Solo show
’01 – Castello del Verginese, Ferrara. Solo show
’01 – Arte Fiera, Bologna. Solo show
’01 – Gallery 454, Detroit USA. Solo show
’02 / ’03 – Arte Fiera, Bologna. Solo show
’04 – Alba Gallery, Brescia. Solo show
’04 – Arte Fiera, Bologna. Solo show
’04 – Wondecammer Gallery, Bergamo. Solo show
’05 – Jewelery Museum, Como. Solo show
’05 – Graphic Arts Fair, New York. Solo show
‘06 – Petit Prince Gallery, Ravello. Solo show
’07 – Wondercammer Gallery, Bergamo. Solo show
’08 – Salone del Mobile, Florence. Solo show
’09 – Artelibro, Bologna. Solo show ’09 – Alba Arte, Brescia. Solo show
’10 – Arte Fiera, Bologna. Solo show ‘
10 – ArteLibro, Bologna. Solo show
’11 – Salone del Mobile in Florence. Solo show
‘11 – Atelier Gallery, S. Giovanni in Persiceto (BO). Solo show
’11 – Petit Prince Gallery, Ravello. Solo show
’11 – ArteLIbro, Bologna. Solo show
’12 – “Image” Contemporary Art Fair – Forlì. Solo show
’12 – Reggio Emilia Contemporary Art Fair. Solo show
’13 – Reverberi Arte Gallery, Lugano. Solo show
’13 – Liberbook, Palazzo della Pilotta, Parma. Solo show
’14 – Artelibro, Bologna. Solo show
’14 – Petit Prince Gallery , Ravello (Naples). Solo show
’15 – Work in progress: collective exhibition by ‘La Scuola della Carta’, Civoco32, Bologna
’15 – Installation for “ Performigration” project by the Alma Mater Studiorum of Boloogna
’15 – Environmental work at the Biografilm Film Festival of Bologna
’17 – ‘Assonanze’, Art City Night, Bologna. Solo show
’18 – Millennium Gallery,Bologna. Collective exhibition
’19 – Millennium Gallery. Collective exhibition
’20 – Poly Gallery, Karlsrue (G). Collective exhibition
’20 – Paper Artist’s book, Ellora Atelie,Sao Paolo, Brasil.Collective exhibition
’23 – Solo show “Collezione scarabocchio” light sculptures-Showroom Quadreria- Bologna
’24 – Arte Artefatto Arteficio- centro d’ Arte La Talpa – Bologna

Artist Statement

Throughout my artistic journey, handmade paper has been the cornerstone of my creative expression. It began decades ago, sparked by a deep dive into Jung’s explorations of alchemy.
Fascinated by the transformative nature of paper and inspired by alchemical processes, I embarked on a forty-year odyssey of exploration and experimentation. From the early works, pulsating with raw energy and the quest for consciousness, to the ethereal pieces where silence speaks volumes, each creation is a testament to the alchemy of art.
The pieces presented here, born in the early 2000s, delve into the primal moment of creation—the fleeting intersection of energies birthing matter and consciousness.
In my latest series, “Scarabocchio,” crafted in 2023, I revisit the theme of convergence. Here, disparate materials collide and coalesce, giving rise to a new, organic essence illuminated by light. Each sculpture is a meditation on creation itself, with the object—symbolizing the fruit of creativity—taking center stage as an icon of artistic evolution.
As I continue to explore the alchemy of art, my work serves as a visual symphony—a harmonious fusion of material and meaning, inviting viewers to ponder the profound mysteries of existence.

Catalogue

Catalogue exhibition
woodcut monotype on hand made paper
woodcut monotype on hand made paper