SOVO// TO EXHIBIT NEW WORK BY GIANFRANCO CIOFFI WITH THE RELEASE OF THEIR FIRST HALF ISSUE AT SUBSTRATE GALLERY IN HOLLYWOOD.

Saturday, April 21st, 2018 from 4-8 PM
709 N. Ridgewood Pl., Los Angeles, CA 90038
Follow @sovohalfissues for updates

LOS ANGELES, CA — SOVO// Magazine is pleased to present their first half-issue, [ Issue 1.5 ]; a four hour pop up solo exhibition of 21 original contemporary abstract paintings by Gianfranco Cioffi, a local LA artist using this opportunity to express both the beauty and the pain of untangling oneself from life’s imperfections using sumi ink on handmade Bhutan paper, on April 21st, 2018 from 4-8pm at Substrate Gallery in Hollywood, California.

In addition to viewing Cioffi’s originals on the gallery walls, attendees may also acquire a signed and numbered limited edition box set of Cioffi’s half-issue published by SOVO//. [ Issue 1.5 ] includes fine art prints of the 21 paintings in the exhibition on heavyweight 11×14” uncoated Forest Stewardship Council Certified paper printed using waterless printing technology in a local, zero-waste printing facility. Each half-issue also includes a manifesto and a signed certificate of authentication from the artist. SOVO// is honored to present this original series of Cioffi work for the first time. The artist will be present at the show to answer any questions you may have and discuss his work further this Saturday.

Gianfranco Cioffi moved to Los Angeles from Italy in 2014, and has been exhibiting his work throughout Europe and California since 2009. While knowledgeable about artistic styles and techniques from a variety of cultures, Cioffi manages to stay present and relatable. Perhaps it’s his spontaneous attraction to found objects which often find new life as art tools or materials. Cioffi has made a name for himself by creating intentional work which deftly captures the dualities of everyday life. Some of his recent exhibitions include Un Seul Grain De Riz (2017), Galerie Métanoïa, Paris; Parameter III (2017), Art Share L.A., Los Angeles; Biotic (2017), H Galley + Studios, Ventura; Intentions (2017), Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts, Los Angeles; Estremo Presente (2013), Museo Ettore Guatelli, Ozzano Taro, Italy. He has been featured in Osso Magazine; Get Inspired Magazine; Tribe Magazine among others.

SOVO// Magazine is a new quarterly publication made in South Los Angeles that challenges storytelling formats by introducing unconventional printing and publishing materials and measurements. Between each whole issue of SOVO//, appear the even more abstract high concept “half-issues” which presents the best and brightest artists of our time and become published, collectible works of art themselves. Both the whole- and half-issues of SOVO// Magazine are produced as limited editions.

// Video Transcript //

Farida: So, tell me about this show on the 21st.

Gianfranco: The show?

Farida: Yeah

Gianfranco: So… it’s really part of one of my ongoing series that is called Gordian Knot and it’s basically a research of our inner knot and in a way we try to solve this knot… cut this knot. And this series is composed of 21 pieces that are about 12×17″ on handmade Bhutan paper. And the paper was a big part of the selection because initially my thought was to use Japanese handmade paper, but the guy passed away so it wasn’t possible. And I had to substitute this choice with another paper that actually was a better fit for this show because it was smaller, the texture was more intricate and it was just perfect.

This show has a deep meaning for me because the paintings were made in two different sessions. And you can really tell from how they look that they are from different phases of my life; I was going through something really personal and really different. So they are the perfect representation of the moment, like I try to do all the time with all my paintings. I try to capture and crystalize the moment and that’s basically the philosophy behind my art: try to be completely honest. Sometimes it’s really difficult to accept where you are and to be totally aware that we have no control about what’s going to happen. Being that honest could be really painful, but at the end of the day you have a body of work that represents you honestly. And in my opinion, it’s fundamental for an artist or a person – whatever is your interaction with the world – if you’re not honest you wear a sad mask that society gives you and you are just a puppet, basically. You don’t want to be a puppet. Life is too short.

This show is part of this beautiful project that is SOVO// Magazine. It is actually the half-issue. It is, I guess, a parallel project that the magazine has. They dedicate the half-issue entirely to an artist and I am grateful to the whole organization, to Farida and Allen and to whatever worked to make this happen. This is my first solo show here and it means a lot because basically I came here with no connections, no friends, no family. I came here by myself, so that means that… after all, if you work hard you can achieve something.

It wasn’t easy. I’ve had a lot of struggles with the cultural gap. And, sometimes, you know, you have to make choices. You have to compromise something in order to achieve your goals. For me it was basically giving up my old life and there were tangible signs through my art. I was totally different. I used to make totally different stuff. It was more obscure, grotesque, dark. And now the narrative has completely switched. Now, I am looking for something else.

This research is deeper and difficult and it scares me a lot, but that’s the beauty of it. That means that it’s real. For example, I never know what my work is going to be. I literally never plan. I try to stay with the moment. It’s kind of like a meditation. I try to ground myself in the moment and appreciate everything. Even the spots that are all over the place, they are part of the big picture. That comes from Zen philosophy, to accept all the parts of what we are and that we have basically no control.

“It is hard to overcome fear and be sincere with oneself. Freedom is possible only through self acceptance.” — Gianfranco Cioffi

PRESS INFO

Press Contact: Farida Amar
Em. farida@sovomagazine.com
Download the Press Release PDF

Thanks to our sponsor LHBCo.

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