Paolo Cotani

Paolo Cotani Rome 1940 -2011, Cotani started his career by moving to London. From 1964 to 1970 he held courses on “Techniques and materials of the historical vanguards” at the Chelsea College of Arts and worked for various theatrical installations absorbing those cultural influences that determined his artistic research. Defined by Giorgio De Marchis as “the most English of young Roman neo-abstract painters”, in 1968 Cotani had his first solo show at the Cavalry Gallery in Rome and in 1970 he was presented with David Russell at the CCAC Gallery in Oakland, California. In the early 1970s, he joined the group of artistic research on the analysis of syntactic language tools, known as the Grado Zero of Painting. Since 1971 on, Cotani has taken part to many group shows both in Italy and abroad. The meeting with the critics Giorgio Cortenova is decisive for his artistic path as well as the various trips to the US in the 1980s, which mark another moment of strong reflection on “overcoming the 70’s”. His friendship with Ralph Gibson, an important photographer, will turn Cotani’s attention to photography, that will become a new important part of his work. The exhibition at Palazzo Ducale di Senigallia was under preparation at the time Cotani died in January 2011.From 1964 to 1970 he held courses on “Techniques and materials of the historical vanguards” at the Chelsea College of Arts and worked for various theatrical installations absorbing those cultural influences that determined his artistic research. Defined by Giorgio De Marchis as “the most English of young Roman neo-abstract painters”, in 1968 Cotani had his first solo show at the Cavalry Gallery in Rome and in 1970 he was presented with David Russell at the CCAC Gallery in Oakland, California. In the early 1970s, he joined the group of artistic research on the analysis of syntactic language tools, known as the Grado Zero of Painting. Since 1971 on, Cotani has taken part to many group shows both in Italy and abroad. The meeting with the critics Giorgio Cortenova is decisive for his artistic path as well as the various trips to the US in the 1980s, which mark another moment of strong reflection on “overcoming the 70’s”. His friendship with Ralph Gibson, an important photographer, will turn Cotani’s attention to photography, that will become a new important part of his work. The exhibition at Palazzo Ducale di Senigallia was under preparation at the time .