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TOM PORTA

Milano, 1970

  • CV

Tom Porta’s work focuses on the history of 1900 by using past as a mirror for present. The artist is attracted by the passing of time that he tells through objects and places chosen in order to invite the viewer to embark on his personal journey within present and future memories. He was born in Milan in 1970 and, since his childhood, he has shown a strong attitude towards drawing and art in general. He graduated as Art Master and began a successful career in illustration and photography. He has lived in Italy, Germany, France, Japan and the United States and, since the very beginning of his career, he has chosen to merge his life experiences into his own paintings. Since 2003 he has chosen to abandon illustration and photography to devote himself only to painting, quickly gaining a prominent position in the Italian art scene. Besides being mentioned among the top 100 Italian artists (2007), Porta’s artworks are published in important publications such as "500 anni di pittura italiana" (500 years of Italian painting) and in Sotheby's and Christie's catalogues. His work focuses on the history of the 20th century, using past as a mirror for present. The artist is also fascinated by the passing of time that he tells through objects and places chosen in order to invite the viewer to embark on his personal journey, within present and future memories. He has been described as a photojournalist of painting because of the photographic cuts he gives to canvases, his latest works appear as snapshots that pay homage to the imagery associated with Japan. The quick brushstrokes combined with the precision typical of Oriental masters represent the essence of Porta's artistic language, a language where tradition and international trends melt together. He has taken part in many solo and group exhibitions, including: "W.A.R. – We are Restless, the unheard soldier scream" at Palazzo Ducale in Genoa (2011), "Inferno" at the Famedio of Monumental Cemetery of Milan for the 100th anniversary of World War I (2014), "Icarus" at Terminal 1 at Milan Malpensa Airport (2018), "Inferno" at Pirelli Skyscraper in Milan (2018) and “Gaijin – Lo Straniero” at PUNTO SULL’ARTE Gallery in Varese (2022). He also exhibited at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Turin during La Biennale in 2011. He lives and works in Milan.