Argentine artist Leon Ferrari (b. 1920) works in all manner of materials to create engaging works of contemporary art.  I first encountered his work on one of my first trips to Buenos Aires and I fell for it!

His works are incredibly diverse ranging from oil, crayon and ink on paper and canvas to wire, wood and plaster sculpture.  Often infused with political or religious messages – Ferrari was forced into exile from Buenos Aires for fifteen years during the military dictatorship in Argentina – I choose to focus instead on the beauty of the art works themselves.

My favorite Ferrari pieces are those in which he uses his lyrical, almost script-like calligraphy, to create works.  You can almost see his hand moving in loose but steady motion, much like one does with the works of Cy Twombly.  Ferrari uses tight script, scribbles and quotes from different sources making his art feel like it’s sheet music. Sometimes you can’t help yourself but to get closer to see if you can make sense of it!

Ferrari’s wire sculptures are an easy transition from script paintings to three-dimensional works.  His stainless steel wire spheres look just as chaotic as his scribbles and can be displayed much like you would a mobile.  His “Musica” sculpture retains the visual chaos of his “calligraphy” but done through the positioning of straight “sticks”.  Serves to show that chaos, too, can be linear.

richard rabel
principal
richard rabel: interiors + art
interior design and art advising
new york city

The artists is represented by the Cecilia Torres Gallery, New York