Nedo Consoli
Nedo Consoli soon became part of the cultural centers of Mantova, where he met many notable figures of his time, all whom contributed to the development of the artistic sense of the emerging artists. Among them was the philosopher and film director Faust Bertolini, writer Adriano Amati, the journalists Werner Gorni, Davide Mantellini and many others.
He initially became well known as a naïve artist: a foremost painter in this art, which was made famous by the great Zavattini and Dino Villani. However, he soon realized that the naïve style appealed to him mainly for its simple, direct language. This is what Nedo favors: A way of communicating with everyone, through graphics, color, and emotions. To speak to all, from the most educated to the simplest of people.
Fausto Bertolini called him “fabulistico’, and this adjective suits him best. His style is fantastic, fairytale-like, surreal and dreamy.
Raffaele De Grada exhorted that Consoli be set free, capable as he is of such imagination and ability to communicate; to tie him to a specific style is to limit his very expressive ability, which makes our imagination soar.
It is impossible to list all the events in which he has successfully taken part, both in Italy and Europe, which span a career of 40 years. He approached the madonnari (street art) style in 1971, driven by necessity. The Madonnari art form allowed him to tour the world and become acquainted with the foremost museums, through which he developed a more intimate knowledge of classical arts. This is reflected in a personal way in his later works as a Madonnaro Maestro. Elected ‘Maestro’ by the madonnari, he has led the Madonnari Association for over 30 years.
The association itself was born out of Nedo’s own intuition. Realizing the need to give this art form a way to remain alive, he has been and continues to be a crusader, involving the Italian President of the republic, and even Pope John Paul II, who signed a Madonnari painting following a visit to Grazie Di Curtatone.
Nedo Consoli’s artwork is found in Museums and churches. He is especially fond of the recovery of the Ancient wash- houses of Pralungo. Frescoed and gifted back to the people in the guise of small, comfortable living rooms. He showed how this art form can support the economy; unforgettable is also the catwalk he decorated for the deign house Iceberg, in Milano, the altarpieces of Nuoro in Sardinia and in Magliano Sabina in Rome.
He has made numerous television appearances, both in cultural programs and variety (entertainment) ones, as the art of the madonnari is also entertainment . Newspapers and magazines have written about him throughout Europe.
Of a simple and unpretentious nature (‘schivo’ is a bit like ‘shy’ but not quite), he is fond of good company, especially (as every true Italian) when accompanied by good food.
Nedo Consoli was born in San Giacomo delle Segnate, land of many great Mantuan artists, on April 30,1952. There he developed his artistic skill by immersing himself in work at the studios of famous artists Giuseppe Gorni and Lanfranco studios. He did not engage in formal academic studies, choosing instead to devote his time to practicing his art and associating himself with great artists, including the great and famous artist Giuseppe Migneco.
