Chelsea State Bank ad

April 2: Opening reception for artist Gio Curioni at Chelsea Underground Art Gallery

By Lisa Carolin

The artwork of Italian painter Gio Curioni is at the very least a conversation starter. For some, it haunts the imagination, and for others it evokes an intriguing but disturbing feeling.

Alison Mackie, owner of the Chelsea Underground Art Gallery, is hosting an opening reception of Curioni’s work on Saturday, April 2 and has aptly titled it, “Where the Wild Things Are.”

The reference to Maurice Sendak’s work is intentional because there are some similarities. Curioni was fascinated by both medieval and modern fantasy bestiaries, mythical kinds of animals and monsters with human traits.

One such painting at the gallery reminded a local Chelsea history buff of a photo of  Harold Glazier (son of Frank Porter Glazier), who is said to have owned the first Model T Ford in Chelsea.

Curioni is referred to as an “Outsider Artist,” which means that he is self-taught.

Courtesy photo. One of Gio Curioni's paintings.
Courtesy photo. One of Gio Curioni’s paintings.

“I have already sold two of his works,” said Mackie, who sold out of his paintings last summer. “He prices things well.”

Curioni’s paintings sell for between $250-$500, and Chelsea Underground is the first gallery in the country to represent his work.

“Curioni is strictly vegan, and all of his work stems from his desire not to do harm to animals,” explained Mackie.

He believes in the eternity of the soul and in reincarnation and says that informs and inspires his work.

“Animals have souls like ours, including insects, and I detest that part of humanity that rages on the weakest and most defenseless beings,” Curioni stated.

Many of his paintings represent a dystopian world.

He says, “Existence is dystopian, both light and darkness, but from my point of view, more darkness.”

The wine reception runs from 6-8 p.m. at the gallery, which is located at 105 S. Main St. downtown.

Courtesy photo. One of Curioni's paintings.
Courtesy photo. One of Curioni’s paintings.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email