Robert Pettena
Born 1970 in Pembury (UK), lives and works in Florence.
Among the many group exhibitions to which the artist has participated in Italy and abroad, special mention goes to: Watou Poëziezomer 2001 Een lege plek om te blijven, curated by Pier Luigi Tazzi and Ann Demeester, Watou (BE) 2001; Palazzo delle Libertà, curated by Lorenzo Fusi and Marco Pierini, Palazzo delle Papesse, Siena, 2003; Fuori uso, curated by Luca Beatrice, Pescara 2004; The Food Show: The Hungry Eye, curated by Robert G. Edelman and Gina Fiore, Chelsea Art Museum, New York (USA) 2006; Pan Screening, Art Radio Live, WPS1.ORG Broadcasts, Gardens of the Biennale, Venice 2007; Rites de Passage, curated by Pier Luigi Tazzi, Schunck, Glaspaleis, Heerlen, Netherlands 2009. In 2008 a major survey exhibition of his works was held in various locations of the historic centre of Prato: Second Escape, curated by Pier Luigi Tazzi. The artist’s most recent solo shows include: Robert Pettena – Nobel Explosion & anti-hail rockets, curated by Marina Sorbello, UQBAR, Berlin; Jungle Bar, text by Gabi Scardi, Sponda, Contemporary Art Gallery – Fabio Tiboni, Bologna; and in 2011 Zabriskie Point Reloaded, curated by Emily Barsi, Rhizomatic Project Space, Amsterdam, NL.
He participated in the artist residency program within DATABASE 2012, leading a workshop with workers from the three marble quarries of Torano Miseglia and Colonnata as well as the Anarchist clubs Germinal and Gogliardo Fiaschi, located in Carrara’s historic centre.
The site-specific artworks created by the artist as a result of this experience were showcased in the group show The Stones are My Ideas of Imagination, curated by Mike Watson and displayed at the Marble Museum of Carrara from December 15th 2012 to February 23rd 2013.
