What an extraordinary marriage of the modern and the medieval in Todi on December 8th. The stately 13th-c civic palace of this Umbrian hilltown gem served as stunning backdrop for a show dedicated to the works of the American sculptor, Beverly Pepper.
Todi’s 13th-c civic palace – a majestic venue for the show of American sculptor Beverly Pepper
Sharp as ever at nearly ninety-six, Ms Pepper is still doing the drawings for her sculpture projects. See her at work then and now right here
Giulia and I with the indomitable Beverly Pepper
Her inspiration? “It is in the monumental art of Rome and in the variable skies of Umbria that I find inspiration for my art,” Ms Pepper synthesizes.
The “variable skies of Umbria” (view from a Todi terrace)
The strength and force of Roman sculpture and the gentle tones of the Umbria skies come together for me in her work: I see her sculptures as embodying a gentle force. For me, an appropriate oxymoron.
Our daughter, Giulia, had worked years with Beverly Pepper in Todi and invited our family (and not only) to the show.
Although for Giulia I am “Mami” (pronounced “Mommy”), she had also emailed me this invitation:.
** Dear friends and colleagues,
American sculptor Beverly Pepper and I are happy to invite you to the opening of Beverly Pepper’s year of installations, exhibition and inauguration of her sculpture park in Todi, an Umbrian medieval gem the sculptor elected as location of her large scale sculpture studio in Italy.
Model of the sculpture park at the Beverly Pepper show
Giulia explains the Beverly Pepper Todi sculpture park model at the show
On December 8th, the first of a fabulous series of events, that will mark the history of contemporary art in Italy: an exhibition of unpublished photographs, sculptures from the artist’s private collection and the model of the Beverly Pepper Sculpture Park (opening next September in Todi) will be held in the majestic Sala Delle Pietre in the medieval town hall.
December 8th, opening of the show “Beverly Pepper, Fra Todi e il Mondo” (“…Between Todi and the World”)
Collateral to this first exhibition are the installation in front of the gorgeous San Fortunato Church of two iconic and most celebrated large scale sculptures, The San Martino Altars…
In front of Todi’s 12th-c church, San Fortunato, the celebrated large-scale sculptures, the San Martino altars
…. and a photography exhibition by iconic art photographer Gianfranco Gorgoni who has followed Beverly’s work throughout the world for the last 40 years.
Giulia views the Gianfranco Gorgoni photos, part of the Todi Beverly Pepper show
Hope to see you there – or soonest in Todi, Umbria! We shall keep in touch as Beverly Pepper’s year in Todi will develop in 2019 with more ground-breaking exhibitions!
Hugs and regards,
Giulia
Giulia, your papa’ Pino, Keegan and I are so grateful for the invitation – as were our
friends Frank (from San Rafael,California) and Silvana (from Rome) who joined us:
….and what a link between Frank and Giovanni Gorgoni, Beverly Pepper photographer: both were at Woodstock.
Gorgoni’s Woodstock photos of Jimi Hendrix weren’t on display, though.
Beverly Pepper was on stage this time. Beverly Pepper and her Umbria.
“This landscape has influenced my soul, even before my way of perceiving art. If you live in Umbria you can’t not be affected by the places and the particular light that the sky imparts in a different way in every season.” Beverly Pepper
(Thanks to Beverly Pepper for the use of some of the photos).
See the website – enjoy the photos! – of the Italian foundation sponsoring the Beverly Pepper show
Sharp as ever at nearly ninety-six, Ms Pepper is still doing the drawings for her sculpture projects. See her at work then and now right here
