The Italian artist Paola Gandolfi, born in Rome where she continues to live and work, is a voice of profound originality in contemporary art. With a career spanning over four decades, Gandolfi’s work is a nuanced exploration of femininity, psychology, and social roles, rendered through painting, video, and sculpture. Her latest exhibition, “Contrattempo,” held at the Foyer Sinopoli of the Auditorium in Rome, offers an evocative and vibrant portrayal of the complexities of the feminine condition.
A Journey in Art
Paola Gandolfi began her formal art education in the late 1970s at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Bologna. Her career took off in 1981 when she debuted at the prestigious La Tartaruga gallery in Rome under Plinio De Martiis. Initially experimenting with environmental art and installations, Gandolfi eventually turned her focus to painting, developing a deeply personal and intellectually driven practice.
Far from adhering to a specific school or artistic group, Gandolfi’s work reflects her intellectual exploration of psychoanalysis and its intersection with the female experience. Her art has been showcased in major exhibitions, including a personal room at the XLVI Venice Biennale in 1995 and the XII Quadriennale of Rome in 1996. Over the years, she has exhibited extensively in Italy and internationally.
The Exhibition: Contrattempo
From December 20, 2024, to March 2, 2025, visitors to the Foyer Sinopoli at the Auditorium in Rome will have the chance to experience Gandolfi’s latest exhibition, “Contrattempo.” Curated by Claudio Libero Pisano, the show features 14 large-scale canvases, many of them never exhibited before. At the heart of the exhibition is Gandolfi’s signature subject: the female figure.
These women are bold, unapologetic, and commanding, occupying space with an assertiveness that defies convention. Their glamorous attire and polished appearances are juxtaposed with subtle gestures and expressions that betray deeper emotions—frustration, defiance, and a quiet reclaiming of autonomy.
Gandolfi’s vivid, pop-inspired palette enhances the tension in her works. While the bright colors initially captivate the viewer, they also serve as a vehicle to express conflict and dissatisfaction. The subtle contradictions in her portrayals invite reflection on the societal expectations and historical subordination traditionally associated with femininity.
A Feminist Rhythm
The exhibition title, “Contrattempo,” draws from both music and feminist philosophy. The term refers to a rhythmic contrast or interruption, an apt metaphor for feminism as described by the French philosopher Geneviève Fraisse. Fraisse views feminism as a “contrattempo” in history—an element often marginalized as an outlier, separate from the dominant narrative.
Gandolfi’s art, much like this interpretation, seeks to reconnect the feminine perspective with history, challenging the notion of women as passive participants in the historical process. Her characters are not merely subjects of observation but protagonists demanding their rightful place in the contemporary narrative.
Elegance and Subversion
What sets Gandolfi’s work apart is her refusal to resort to overt confrontation or violence. Instead, she evokes the unease of the feminine condition through restrained gestures: a glance, a hand’s placement, or a subtle shift in posture. These small details, combined with her intricate compositions, create a powerful dialogue about identity and agency.
Her work moves with an “elegant and implacable rhythm,” slowly unveiling truths that resist aggressive confrontation but retain their potency. It is this quiet, deliberate approach that has become the hallmark of Gandolfi’s artistic language.
A Space for Reflection
“Contrattempo” is more than an exhibition—it is an invitation to pause and reflect on the evolving roles and perceptions of women in society. Through her art, Paola Gandolfi captures the tension between tradition and progress, beauty and struggle, making her work both timeless and urgent.
Accessible free of charge during park hours and before performances, this exhibition is a must-visit for those interested in contemporary art and feminist discourse. It is an opportunity to witness the culmination of a career dedicated to portraying the depth and complexity of the feminine experience, rendered with both boldness and grace.
For those in Rome this winter, “Contrattempo” offers not only a visual feast but also a profound exploration of what it means to be a woman in the ever-shifting rhythm of history.
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