Erik Saglia ITA, b. 1989

Overview

"The immense possibilities that progress offers us bring back images, videos and sounds of unexplored landscapes and places in space that I try to represent through the works. These works manage to immerse the viewer within a cosmogony made up of lines that cross, curve, add and subtract until they create textures that can be containers of knowledge."

Erik Saglia, born in 1989, is an artist based in Turin, Italy, whose work is characterized by a deep exploration of form, material, and inspiration. Saglia's artistic evolution is marked by a progressive reinterpretation of the “modernist grid,” initially employing graph paper and spray paint to replicate and reframe this motif. He later transitioned to using adhesive tape in precise orthogonal patterns overlaying camouflage spots, where the meticulous tape application stood in stark contrast to the random, organic aggregation of the spots beneath. He consistently seeks to redefine the concept of surface, using materials like spray paint, tape, and synthetic resin, while deliberately avoiding biographical and pop culture references.
In his “Goldigger” series, Saglia juxtaposes the luxuriousness of gold with geometric abstractions, creating a rich interplay between form and material. These pieces prompt viewers to reflect on the intersections of aesthetics, value, and meaning, with the gilded surfaces serving as a focal point for contemplation. More recently, Saglia has ventured into the “Manifesti Satellite” series, drawing inspiration from different satellites. These vibrant compositions blend scientific curiosity with artistic expression, bridging the cosmic and the terrestrial. Through this series, Saglia invites viewers to ponder humanity's place within the expansive universe.
Saglia's artistic journey is deeply intertwined with the influences of Spatialists and Abstract Expressionists, from Fontana to Boetti to Scialoja. These masters have provided Saglia with a robust conceptual and technical foundation, allowing him to develop a unique visual language that continues to evolve and surprise.

Saglia’s work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions, including: “Sphères” at Galleria Continua Les Moulins in Paris (2014), Thomas Brambilla Gallery (2014, 2016), BACO (2015), Tile Project in Milan (2016), SpazioBuonasera (2016), Palazzo Fruscione (2016), Spazio Lancia (2017), Spazio Lampo (2020) Fondazione CRC (2022), Castello di Rivoli (2023), Société Interludio (2023), La Triennale (2023).