My name is Isabella Monari

I was born in Bologna, Italy, where I have studied Foreign Languages and attended the Free School of Nude at the Academy of Fine Arts.
I have a degree in Political Sciences specializing in Sociology. My academic background has been instrumental to my examination and portrayal of society and human relations.

I am currently living in Rome where I have my studio.

My art evokes a blend of energy and enthusiasm

My artworks have been exhibited in museums, prestigious international art galleries and private collections in Italy and abroad, at a Christie’s auction, at the Olimpic Games in London, Vancouver and Beijin representing Italy, in the Collection of the Ministery of Foreign Affairs, in the Italian Olimpic Commettee headquarters, and won the 2nd prize at the National Museum of Art and Sport in Indianapolis.

I portray human interaction and connectivity

The protagonists of most of my artworks are always the interactions among individuals, often described in an ironic way, highlighting their vices and oddities; other times they are described in an almost dreamy way, in an atmosphere of suspended time.
The theme of sport – one of the reccurring – is actually a pretext to talk about what is happening today, and, in the light of the values it teaches, contrast the prevailing individualism.

Artworks in Public Collections

  • Collection of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome
  • National Art Museum of Sport, Indianapolis USA
  • San Salvatore in Lauro Museums, Rome
  • CONI ( Italian National Olympic Committee), Rome
  • Modigliani Picture Gallery, Follonica
  • Youth International Exchanges office, Bologna Cityhall

Art Auctions

  • CHRISTIE’ S Auction. Contemporary Art for marginalized , Rome, 16 July 2019. Painting “Playing in the blue”.
  • CHRISTIE’ S Auction. 160th Anniversary of the Vittoriale, House of  the Italians, Gardone Riviera, June 2023. Painting “Grand Prix”.

International fine art prizes

  • Beijing, Olimpic Games 2008, Italian Pavillon
  • Vancouver, Winter Olimpic Games 2010, Italian Pavillon
  • London, Olimpic Games 2012, Italian Pavillon
  • Indianapolis USA, National Art Museum of Sport, 2014

Art Public Exhibits

  • Bologna, ARTE FIERA 2008
  • 56th Venice Biennal, collateral exhibit Global Village, 2015
  • Indio, CA – USA, SWAF art fair , 2016
  • Padova, ARTE PADOVA 2021

Paintings chosen as cover images

  • “ Boys match on the beach” .  Cover image for the book “Teaching to train”, published by the Italian National Olimpic Commitee  to commemorate the School of Sport’s  50th  anniversary (2016)
  • “Friends beyond the walls”.  Cover image for the book “Free inside ,changing is possible even in jail”, Infinito Editions, (2019)
  • “ I choose life” . Cover image for the Conference of the Supreme Court of Justice “Violence and gender discrimination: words and rights” (2023)

Some Solo Exhibitions

  • Rome, L’Acquario Gallery, May 2003
  • Follonica, Modigliani Picture Gallery,  December 2003
  • Rome, Paolo Antonacci Gallery,  June  2004
  • Bologna, Gnaccarini Gallery, November 2005
  • Rome, The Foreign Affairs Ministry Club, May 2006
  • Rome, Spazio sette Interior Design , December 2010
  • Roma, The Foreign Affairs Ministry Club, June 2013
  • Rome, Emperor Domitian Stadium, Women in Art Week,  March 2015
  • Rome, Sallustiana 27 Gallery, May 2015
  • Roma Women in Art, Elsa Morante Culture Promotion Center, July 2016
  • Laguna Beach USA Forest & Ocean Gallery, September 2016
  • Rome, San Salvatore in Lauro Museums, May 2019
  • Spoleto, 62nd Festival of Two Worlds, June 2019
  • Padova, Arte Padova, November 2021

Publications

 BOOKS

  • Montepaolo nella storia (2000)
  • Fantafiabe, Einaudi Ragazzi Editions (2002)
  • Italian Olympic spirit, signs communication from west to east (2008), Turin University Editions
  • Bologna, City Guide (2008), Bologna City
  • Commemorative volume for the 70th anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Club, Gangemi Editions(2009)
  • Sport in Art, Turin University National Editions (2009)
  • Football: an Italian educational way to the culture of sport, Levrotto & Bella Editions
  • Tradition and innovation, the Italian Olympic spirit in London (2012)
  • Urbis et Artis, Art and Culture (2014)
  • Italien 2e année, Hachette Education, Paris (2014)
  • Images of sport, culture of sport, Italian National Olympic Academy (2016)
  • Vittorio Cini, l’ultimo Doge al Vittoriale, Il Cigno GG Editions, (2023)

CATALOGUES

  • “Isabella Monari”, Modigliani Picture Gallery (2003).  Editor: Parnaso Library . Curator: Gregorio Rossi.  Project: Roberto Sabatelli-Museum Director
  • “Les jeux sont faits” (2006)  Editor: Multimedia Artel. Curator: Massimo Gazzè Riccardi. Presentation: Ambassador Umberto Vattani
  • “ Sunny days ” (2015)  Editor: Millennium. Curator: Professor Egidio Maria Eleuteri
  • “ Relazioni in gioco ” (2019)  Editor: Il Cigno GG. Curator: Caterina Napoleone

Exhibitions in conferences and sports awards

  • “Sport as Art of Masters”, LUMSA University, Rome , November 2009
  • “Art in the Olympics, yesterday and today”, the SCHOOL of SPORT, Italian Olympic Committee, Rome, October 2016
  • Polo Audi International Cup 2006 , Rome Polo Club
  • Sailing Tour of Italy 2006, Roma Yacht Club
  • Roma Horse Racing Award 2006, Capannelle Racecourse
  • Fencing International Cup 2008, 4th Ravagnan Trophy , Turin ( Creation of the Work of art used as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize)
  • Tennis International Cup 2008, 8th APT Award, Turin
  • Polo Openings 2016, Empire Polo Club, Indio CA- USA

Some articles where published in the following newspapers and magazines

Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera, Il Tempo, Il Giornale, Libero, Italia Sera, Il Corriere Laziale, Leggo, Il Resto del Carlino.

Other experiences

  • Public speaker at the Congress “ Art in the Olympics”. Title of the speech : “The artist view” . Giulio Onesti Center for Olympic Training, Rome, October 2016

  • President of the Jury at the competition “ The universal language of sport”, Rome October 2016

Scroll to Top