ANTONIO MARRA WONDERJOY
ANTONIO MARRA WONDERJOY
June 5 —29, 2024
47 x 63 inches
The Wise Ant and the Gallerist, 2024 acrylic on canvasWONDERJOY, Antonio Marra’s first solo exhibition with Scott Richards Contemporary Art, celebrates the element of surprise derived from experiencing the optical effects of his poly-perspective paintings. Rendered in saturated color, the recently painted works present a fascinating combination of precisely rendered geometric motifs that command our attention, yet gradually unfold to reveal hidden surprises and intricacies within.
Navigating the delicate balance between the structured confines of linear geometry and the fluid nuances of visual perception, Marra’s abstract paintings transform before our eyes while offering three distinct perspectives within an exquisitely orchestrated kaleidoscope of dynamic patterns. The magic between geometry and optics takes place amidst meticulous rows of thick, raised lines of acrylic medium that straddle the canvas akin to delicately woven threads. His compositions enthrall and beckon us closer, captivating our gaze with their rhythmic interplay.
Having initially studied mathematics, the artist ultimately followed his heart and pursued a career in fine art at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Naples, Italy. While his compositions echo influences from Cubism and Op Art, it is his profound mathematical acumen that truly shines. Each of his visually striking paintings pushes the boundaries of optical illusion, offering distinct perspectival points that are meticulously calculated to surprise and delight.
Although he grew up in Italy, Antonio Marra has been residing in Frankfurt, Germany for many years. His works have achieved considerable international acclaim and are part of many collections throughout Europe and the United States, most notably Museum Explora in Frankfurt, the Ritter Museum Stuttgart, and ZKM Karlsruhe in Germany, to name a few. Built in 2015, the Marrahaus in Heilbronn, Germany, is a mixed use building renowned for its innovative, colorful facade designed by the artist in his signature style.
Thinking is Spatial, 2024
59 x 59 inches
acrylic on canvas
Love the Superlatives, 2024
59 x 59 inches
acrylic on canvas
24 x 24 inches
Precise Coolness, 2024 acrylic on canvas
The Wise Ant and the Gallerist, 2024
acrylic on canvas
47 x 63 inches
Raw Emotion, 2024
acrylic on canvas
24 x 24 inches
Youngster, Where are you now?, 2023
40 x 40 inches
acrylic on canvas
The Unattainable Inner Fire, 2023
acrylic on canvas
47.25 x 47.25 inches
Ultimate Happiness, 2023
acrylic on canvas
40 x 40 inches
ADDITIONAL WORKS
Nothing is More Boring than the Truth, 2022 with glass sculpture by Toots Zynsky
Narrator Loves Surprises, 2024
The acrylic on canvas 47.25 x 63 inches
Golden Gate I, 2024
acrylic on canvas
19.5 x 19.5 inches
Golden Gate II, 2024
acrylic on canvas
19.5 x 19.5 inches
Nothing is More Boring than the Truth, 2022
acrylic on canvas 55 x 63 inchesANTONIO MARRA
BORN
1959 in Volturara Irpina, Italy
EDUCATION
1980-82 Accademia di Belle Arti, Prof. Divincenzo, Naples, Italy
1974-79 Studies with the conclusion "Diploma di Geometra", Naples, Italy
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 Wonderjoy, Scott Richards Contemporary Art, San Francisco, CA
2022 Tik Tok is Therapy, Heitsch Gallery, Munich, Germany
2020 Antonio Marra | The Changing Canvas : A Pop Up Exhibition throughout San Francisco Financial District, Scott Richards Contemporary Art, San Francisco, CA
2019 Brilliant Geometries, Scott Richards Contemporary Art, San Francisco, CA
Antonio Marra | Neo Op Kinetic Paintings, Scott Richards Contemporary Art, San Francisco, CA
2013 Andare a spasso, Jörg Heitsch Galerie, München, Germany
Bilderwandel, Fritz-Winter-Haus, Ahlen, Germany
Mit beiden Beinen im Farbeimer, Galerie Wolfgang Exner, Wien, Austria
2012 Beziehungsweisen, Kunstverein, Nördlingen, Germany
Galerie im Fritz-Winter-Atelier, Diessen, Ahlen, Germany
2011 Der Garten des Malers, Jörg Heitsch Galerie, München, Germany
Eine andere Sicht der Dinge, Kunstverein, Bad Soden, Germany
Her mit dem Pinsel, Galerie Schrade, Karlsruhe, Germany
Feuchtfröhlicher Pinsel, Galerie Thomas Hühsam, Offenbach am Main, Germany
Più Vero del Vero, Galerie Schrade, Karlsruhe, Germany
2010 From Naples to Shanghai via Frankfurt, Fu Xin Gallery, Shanghai, China
2009 Ich würde es wieder tun, Galerie Thomas Hühsam, Offenbach am Main, Germany
Die Unsicherheit über den sicheren Sieg, Galerie Schrade, Schloss Mochental, Germany
Wenn die Lust zum Meer wird, Jörg Heitsch Galerie, München, Germany
2008 Es erscheint alles möglich, Galerie der Heusenstamm-Stiftung, Frankfurt, Germany
Du bist was du siehst, Jörg Heitsch Galerie, München, Germany
Ausgewählte Arbeiten, Galerie Unteres Schloss, Pähl, Germany
2007 Drei Juwelen, Galerie im Hof, Baar, Germany
2006 Der geküsste Wanderer, Galerie Bergner + Job, Mainz, Germany
Auf der Suche nach dem roten Quader, Galerie Angelo Falzone, Mannheim, Germany
Wo ist Bruno, Fritz-Winter-Atelier, Ammersee/Diesen, Germany
2005 Northern Lights, Galerie Thomas Hühsam, Offenbach am Main, Germany
2004 Credit Swiss, Galerie Thomas Hühsam, Stuttgart, Germany
2003 selected pieces 1999-2003, kunstansichten 2003, FahrradhalleTM®, Offenbach am Main, Germany
2002 Lahmeyer International, Bad Vilbel, Germany
2001 Galerie Thomas Hühsam, Offenbach am Main, Germany
2000 Galerie Evelyn Bergner, Wiesbaden, Germany
Galerie Antonio Ferrara, Reggio Emilia, Italy
1999 Galerie Thomas Hühsam, Offenbach am Main, Germany
1995 Galerie Thomas Hühsam, Offenbach am Main, Germany
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
1994 Art McCann, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
1993 Galerie Experiment Kunst, Thomas Hühsam, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2023 New Works | Gallery Selections, Scott Richards Contemporary Art, San Francisco, CA
Magic Vibes, Heitsch Gallery, Munich, Germany
2022 FUTURE? NOW! Heitsch Gallery, Munich, Germany
2021 Life On the Brighter Side, Weinberger Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2020 Future Lab 3 D, Heitsch Gallery, Munich, Germany
2019 Small Works and Special Offerings, Scott Richards Contemporary Art, San Francisco, CA
ARTIST’S CHOICE: HEITSCH >< MARRA, Heitsch Gallery, Munich, Germany
2018. SKULPTURALE, communication in line, form and space, Heitsch Gallery, Munich, Germany
2014 Art Karlsruhe, Galerie Schrade, Karlsruhe, Germany
Art Silicon Valley, San Mateo, CA
2013 Art Karlsruhe, Galerie Schrade, Karlsruhe, Germany
Kunst 13 Zürich, Jörg Heitsch Galerie, Zürich, Switzerland
2012 Beziehungsweisen, Oberhessisches Museum Gießen, Gießen, Germany
Art Karlsruhe, Solo Show, Galerie im Fritz-Winter-Atelier, Diessen, Karlsruhe, Germany
ViennaFair in Wien, Galerie Exner, Wien, Austria
Kunst 12 Zürich, Jörg Heitsch Galerie, Zürich, Switzerland
Art Karslruhe, Galerie Schrade, Karlsruhe, Germany
2011 Art Karlsruhe, Solo Show, Jörg Heitsch Galerie, Karlsruhe, Germany
Art Fair 21, Jörg Heitsch Galerie, Köln, Germany
Art Helsinki, Jörg Heitsch Galerie, Helsinki, Finland
Kunst 11 Zürich, Jörg Heitsch Galerie, Zürich, Switzerland
Scope, Galerie von Braunbehrens, New York, NY
One-Artist-Show, Galerie Schrade, Karlsruhe, Germany
2010 Kunst - Architektur - Kunst, Off-Space Damenstiftstraße, Jörg Heitsch Galerie, München, Germany
Farbe, Raum, Struktur, Galerie von Braunbehrens, München, Germany
Art Karlsruhe, Solo Show, Galerie Schrade, Karlsruhe, Germany
Kunst Zürich, Jörg Heitsch Galerie, Zürich, Switzerland
Art Fair 21, Jörg Heitsch Galerie, Köln, Germany
Selection Art Fair Basel, Jörg Heitsch Galerie, Basel, Switzerland
2009 Art Fair 21, Jörg Heitsch Galerie, Köln, Germany
2007 Farbe in Aktion mit Adolf Frohner, Galerie Exner, Wien, Austria
Premio Agenore Fabbri, VAF-Stiftung, Mailand, Kiel, Graz, Austria
Kölner Liste, One-Man-Show, Galerie Thomas Hühsam, Köln, Germany
2006 Art Karlsruhe, One-Man-Show, Galerie Angelo Falzone, Karlsruhe, Germany
Berliner Liste, Galerie Thomas Hühsam, Berlin, Germany
Art Fair, Galerie Thomas Hühsam, Köln, Germany
Saisonstart, Galerie Exner, Wien, Austria
2005 stripes, Galerie Exner, Wien, Austria
OF-TH 10, Galerie Thomas Hühsam, Offenbach am Main, Germany
art frankfurt, NetzwerkTM® Offenbach, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Art Fair, Galerie Thomas Hühsam, Köln, Germany
2004 art frankfurt, NetzwerkTM® Offenbach, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Abstrakt, Galerie Thomas Hühsam, Offenbach am Main, Germany
The Art of Painting II, Nacht der Museen, FahrradhalleTM®, Offenbach am Main, Germany
Love, NetzwerkTM®, FahrradhalleTM®, Offenbach am Main, Germany
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2003 The Art of Painting, Nacht der Museen, Offenbach am Main, Germany
2002 Künstler der Galerie, Galerie Thomas Hühsam, Offenbach am Main, Germany
2001 Euro 111: Offenbach, Staatliche Kunsthalle, Baden-Baden, Germany
2000 10 Jahre, Galerie Thomas Hühsam, Offenbach am Main, Germany
Artissima Torino, Galerie Antonio Ferrara, Turin, Italy
1997 IPI präsentiert Silo, Hamburg, Germany
acrocharge, Art McCann, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
1996 50 Jahre UNICEF, Nassauischer Kunstverein, Wiesbaden, Germany
1991 Galerie am Johannisplatz, Schwäbisch-Gmünd, Germany
SELECTED PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Museum Explora Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Ritter Museum Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
ZKM Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany
Mart Rovereto Italien, Rovereto, Italy
ALT & CO, Dallas, TX
David and Kathy Wallerstein, Zumikon, Switzerland
FDG Design Group, Miami, FL
James and Sandy Yasso, San Francisco, CA
Xavier Von Bertarb, Mexico, DF
Michael and Yanna Xenakis, Lafayette, CA
Rob and Kimberly Coretz, Tulsa, OK
Sara Weinstein, Portland, OR
Studio Heimat, San Francisco, CA
Vance Burke Design, Los Angeles, CA
Marrahaus, Heilbonn, Germany
CONTINUED
The Unattainable Inner Fire 2023 with Merete Rasmussen sculpture
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