BRINDISI.- The timeless allure of ceramics will once again take center stage as sculptor Sabino de Nichilo presents his latest exhibition, Rivelazioni (Revelations), at the Museo Archeologico "Francesco Ribezzo" in Brindisi from October 4 to November 17, 2024. The exhibition explores the juxtaposition of contemporary art with ancient relics, breathing new life into classical mythology and culture.

The Opening

On October 4, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., the exhibit will officially open its doors. Emilia Mannozzi, Director of the Brindisi BiblioMuseum Pole, alongside the exhibition curator Ilaria Caravaglio and the artist himself, will welcome visitors to a showcase supported by the Inner Wheel Club Mesagne “Appia Antica.” The show will be held in the museum’s temporary exhibition space at Piazza Duomo 7.

Sculptures in Dialogue with the Past

De Nichilo's works will engage in a thought-provoking dialogue with the archaeological treasures housed within the museum. His latest cycles of ceramic sculptures, Organi da Asporto (Takeaway Organs), Esperimenti di Estinzione (Experiments of Extinction), and Rivelazioni (Revelations), will be displayed alongside select paintings on paper. Visitors will encounter five site-specific installations interspersed throughout the museum’s permanent collection, encouraging a critical reinterpretation of classical forms and mythological figures.

This innovative approach aims to bridge the gap between historical epochs and cultures, as modern ceramic sculptures are positioned within an ancient context. Ilaria Caravaglio, the curator of the exhibition, describes the artistic concept as “an intricate journey where de Nichilo’s ceramics harmonize respectfully with the millennia-old relics that fill the museum’s halls.”

The 'Archaeology of the Future'

Caravaglio views de Nichilo's body of work as an exploration of what she terms an "archaeology of the future." The "revelations" hinted at in the exhibition’s title are not just reflections on the past, but a conscious engagement with the idea that the future is constructed from our relationships with history. “De Nichilo's ceramics embody a respectful dialogue with the museum's collection, creating a space where the past and future intertwine,” Caravaglio explains.

The heart of de Nichilo’s artistic inquiry is the human body, which he reimagines through endless transformations and possibilities. His sculptures, which appear like fragmented pieces of a cosmic puzzle, depict bodies that disassemble and reassemble themselves, evolving in ways that defy the laws of nature and traditional morphology. According to Caravaglio, “these hybrid, often mutating forms evoke archeological fragments from a past we attempt to reconstruct, but at the same time, they resemble stem cells—capable of generating any kind of tissue.”

Contemplating the Future

De Nichilo’s work challenges us to consider the future, specifically how technology and science will enable the manipulation of living matter to create new forms of life. His sculptures present a vision of a world where biological manipulation coexists with the unstoppable force of nature. "In this future," Caravaglio continues, "nature will continue to shape our environment, reminding us of our fragility and dependence on the ecosystem."

As such, de Nichilo’s sculptures are not only rooted in the present moment but also in what lies ahead. The natural world, with its resilience and transformative power, remains an ever-present force in his work, underscoring the delicate balance between human agency and the world around us.

Visiting the Exhibition

The Rivelazioni exhibition will be open to the public from Tuesday to Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. On Mondays (until November 4), visitors can view the exhibition from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Sabino de Nichilo

Born in Molfetta in the province of Bari in 1972, Sabino de Nichilo is a graduate of the Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome, where he still lives and works today. Specializing in ceramic sculpture, de Nichilo’s work often explores the intersection of organic and inorganic matter. His practice extends beyond ceramics to include painting, installation, and performance art.

His sculptures frequently challenge traditional representations of the human body, deconstructing its unity and conventional cultural markers. By creating objects that appear like fragmented body parts—reminiscent of an autopsy or slaughterhouse—he brings forth what Caravaglio describes as “a visceral sentimentality,” softened by the often-bright colors of his glazed ceramics. In his recent works, Rivelazioni and Esperimenti di Estinzione, de Nichilo reflects on the limitations of evolutionary processes, posing questions about the future of humanity.

Previous Exhibitions and Accolades

De Nichilo’s career is marked by numerous solo and group exhibitions. In 2024, he won the Sparti Prize, leading to his solo exhibition Virus in Ascoli Piceno. His 2023 solo shows included Estinzione at the 16 Civico space in Pescara and Innen und Aussen at the MoMartGallery in Matera. Notable past exhibitions include Organi da Asporto at L29 Art Studio in Rome (2019) and Viscere at the De Palo-Ungaro Archaeological Museum in Bitonto (2018).

Among his group exhibitions, de Nichilo’s work has been featured in La lunga estate calda at the National Gallery of Rome, Antropomachie at Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo in Ascoli Piceno, and Siamo monadi siamo nomadi at Tomav Torre di Moresco Centro Arti Visive in Moresco. His works have also been part of Il mattino ha Lory in bocca in Bari, an exhibition series running from 2022 to 2024.

In 2021, he received an honorable mention at the XXVIII Contemporary Ceramics Competition in Grottaglie. His participation in 40days at Quasi Quadro in Turin further cemented his reputation as a key figure in contemporary ceramic art.

Looking Ahead

As the Rivelazioni exhibition brings de Nichilo’s thought-provoking ceramic sculptures into dialogue with ancient history, visitors to the Museo Archeologico "Francesco Ribezzo" will be offered a rare opportunity to explore how contemporary art can both honor and challenge the past while pondering the future of humanity itself.