Bato

BATO was born in Rome in 1977. He holds a degree in Literature and Philosophy and a diploma in art from the capital’s Liceo Artistico Sperimentale Alberto Savinio.  He has exhibited widely in Italy and in 2019-2020, the Tonino Guerra Museum in northern Italy hosted his solo exhibition Jungle.

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A natural draftsman who experiments with various techniques and mediums, Bato's work encompasses painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, and even animated video. While the medium may change, Bato's signature qualities remain the same: harmony, elegance and playfulness.  Stimulated by his interest in jazz, improvisation and gestural painting are key features of his working method. Starting from 'full' study drawings, Bato slowly, bit by bit, 'detracts' from the image until what is left is the essence of his subject. Each single line and stroke of colour in a Bato painting is invested with meaning and purpose, and offers no possibility of pentimenti.

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While Bato’s previous creations drew inspiration from an in-depth study of zoology and the adventure novels of writers like Rudyard Kipling and Emilio Salgari, his new collection takes the viewer on a journey back in time to the Middle Ages. The artist is interested specifically in the medieval imagination: a world populated by mythological figures, fantastical creatures, exotic races and all forms of dreams and marvels.