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Biography

Silvana Martignoni was born in Busto Arsizio. She attended the Art High School and the Brera Academy of Fine Arts (Milan), in 1980, with her final thesis on the “visionary” poet and engraver William Blake. Later she specialized in engraving techniques in Urbino.

In the early years of her artistic activity she focused on the purest engraving techniques (drypoint, mezzotint, etching). She immediately undertook research on plant form, expressed with contemporary attention.

Her prints represent transfigured icons, the result of experiences in nature observed and of abstraction that are mixed in the persistence of memory.

She has a passion for mezzotint, an ancient technique that lends itself to her design, subtle, strong and decisive , enriched in tonal values close to painting.

Later her language approaches painting, the artist embarks on a search based on color and brightness in the splendor of the natural world. She paints stories in pearl colours with a technique of thin glazes which contribute to the realization of an intense dreamy effect.

Recently Silvana Martignoni comes into contact with the world of the “ex libris”, which she appreciates for its historical, literary and poetic content.

Participation in major international events – Engraving

Taipei International Print Exhibit-New York Pratt Graphic Center-Grenchen International Triennial of coloured graphic prints-Seoul International Print Exhibit-5^ Triennale dell’Incisione Milano Palazzo della Permanente-Premio Biella per l’Incisione-2^ Biennale della Grafica Busto Arsizio-Arte Fiera Bologna “100 artisti segnalati da 100 critici” segnalata da Floriano De Santi-“L’Incisione alla maniera nera in Italia”Milano Palazzo Sormani, Matera Ass. cult. La Scaletta, Cagliari Grafica Internazionale, Mondovì Chiostro Sant’Evasio-Cadaques, III Mini Print International Taller Fort-“Segni al femminile”Milano Palazzo Sormani-Venezia, -Pescara,Manifestazione ex libris per G. D’Annunzio.

The participations in the most important international graphic events starting from 2012 :
2012 VII Biennale dell’incisione italiana “Città di Campobasso 2012”.
2013 XI edizione Biennale Internazionale “Grafica ed ex libris”, Casale Monferrato.
2013 2nd International Mezzotint Festival , Ekaterinburg, Russia.
2013 Triennial of Small Graphic Forms Vilnius 2013, Lithuania.

2014 VI Repertorio degli incisori italiani 2014, Gabinetto delle Stampe di Bagnacavallo.
2014 International Biennial Print Exhibit:2014 ROC, Taiwan.
2014 International Competition of ex-libris in the XXXV F.I.S.A.E Congress,2014, Tarragona, Spain.
2014 1st International Exlibris Competition Varna 2014,Bulgaria.
2014 15th International Triennial of Small Graphic Forms, Poland-Lodz ‘2014.
2014 The 1st Jogja Miniprint Biennale(IMB 2014), Yogyakarta,Indonesia.
2014 Concorso Internazionale Il Bosco Stregato “Nel segno del Vate”, Bosia,Italy.
2014 Basé Art 2014, Frejus, France.
2014 9 ͤ Triennale Mondiale de l’Estampe,2014, Chamalières,France.
2015 3ème Triennale de Gravure en taille-douce de LISLE-SUR-TARN ,2015,France.
2015 VIII Biennale dell’incisione italiana “Città di Campobasso 2015”.
2015 XII edizione Biennale Internazionale “Grafica ed ex libris”, Casale Monferrato.
2015 XII Biennale Internazionale per l’Incisione-Premio Acqui 2015, Acqui Terme (AL).
2015 25th International Biennial of Modern Exlibris – Malbork 2015, Poland.
2015 Concorso Internazionale Exlibris Aldo Manuzio 1515-2015, comune di Bassiano (LT).
2015 2nd Global Print 2015, Douro, Portugal.
2015 Mostra Concorso Ex Libris EXPO MILANO 2015 “Nutrire il Pianeta, Energia per la vita,Milano 2015.
2015 Third International Mezzotint Festival 2015 Ekaterinburg ,Russia.
2015 International Competition Triennale Print Making Indonesia V 2015, Jakarta, Indonesia.
2015 Concorso Internazionale Exlibristico Il Bosco Stregato “Gli Amici del Cuore-Pet Therapy”, Bosia, Italia, segnalata dalla giuria.
2015 III International Brest Print Triennial “World and war”,Brest, Belarus.
2015 The Australian Bookplate Design Award for 2015, Victoria, Australia.
2016 8th International Printmaking Biennial Douro 2016, Douro, Portugal.
2016 1ère Biennale Internationale de l’Estampe de Dreux, Dreux, France.
2016 16th International Biennial of Small Graphics and Exlibris – Ostrów Wielkopolski 2016, Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poland.
2016 2nd International Exlibris Competition Varna 2016, Varna, Bulgaria.
2016 9thTriennial of Small Graphic Forms Vilnius 2016, Lithuania.
2017 Premio ex libris, piccola grafica di Santa Croce sull’Arno (PI), Italy.
2017 International Sint-Niklaas 2017 bookplates and small printmaking Competition, Belgium.
2017 Biennial of Modern Exlibris – Malbork 2015, Poland.
2017 IX Rassegna Internazionale di Incisione -Il gesto segreto / The secret gesture – Cremona 2017, Italy.
2017 3rd Global Print 2017, Douro, Portogallo.
2017 10 ͤ Triennale Mondiale de l’Estampe, 2017, Chamalières ,France.
2017 XIII Biennale Internazionale per l’Incisione-Premio Acqui 2017, Acqui Terme(AL), Italy.
2017 Salon International del Gravure de Morhange 2017, partecipazione per invito personale, Morhange, France.
2017 Fourth International Mezzotint Festival, Ekaterinburg, Russia.
2017 16th International Triennial of SMALL GRAPHIC FORMS, ŁÓDŹ 2017, Poland.
2017 19th International Print Biennial Varna 2017, Bulgaria.

Prizes

1982 2nd prize in XIII edition “ Premio Diomira, drawing award”.

1983 XXII edition “Joan Mirò International Drawing Award” from the Fundaciò Joan Mirò, Barcellona, Spain: 1st prize

2013 “Ju Qi Cup” The 1st International Prints & Exlibris EXPO ” Shanghai, China: Bronze prize.

2014“7° Concorso Internazionale ex libris Biblioteca di Bodio Lomnago”,Varese, Italy: 3rd prize and honourable mention.

2014 The 3rd Guangzhou International Exlibris and Mini print Biennial 2014”, China: awarded “Excellent Exlibris”

2014 ”The 8th International Exlibris Fu Xian Zhai, Shanghai”,China: awarded “Excellent Exlibris”.

2015   “Chang Zhou Wu Jin The 1st International Prints & Exlibris EXPO”, China: awarded “Excellent Exlibris”.

2016 “2nd Jogja International Miniprint Biennale (JMB) 2016” Yogyakarta, Indonesia: winner as ”Excelence work”.

2016 “4th Guangzhou International Exlibris and Mini – Prints Biennial 2016”, Cina awarded “Excellent Mini – Prints” awarded “Excellent Exlibris”.

2016 “Concurso Internacional de EX-Libris del Quijote”, Tarragona, Spagna, awarded “mencione onorifica”.

2016 “Chang Zhou Wu Jin The Second Exlibris Expo Exchange”,Cina: awarded “Excellent Exlibris”.

2017 “International Exlibris Competiotion The Enchanted Woods. The Jungle Book and The World of Disney “, Bosia, Italy – 2nd prize.

2017 “The Third Exlibris Expo Exchange in Chang Zhou Wu Jin Exlibris Museum”, Cina: awarded “Excellent Exlibris”.

2017 “ VIII Contratalla International Biennial of Ex-Libris dedicated to wine”, Tarragona, Spain: awarded “mencione onorifica”.

2018 “9° Concorso Internazionale ex libris “Biblioteca di Bodio Lomnago”,Varese, Italia: 1st prize.

She is member of: Prism Print International, Eye Suffolk UK, The International Mezzotint Society, Miami Florida, USA – Associazione Liberi Incisori (ALI), Bologna -Associazione Nazionale Incisori Contemporanei, Montebelluna, Treviso.
Associazione Italiana Ex Libris, Milano – Deutsche Exlibris-Gesellschaft E.V. (DEG), Berlino, Germania – Association Française pour la Connaissance de l’Ex-Libris (AFCEL), Saint Mihiel, France.

Exhibitions:

2017 ”Silvana Martignoni” – solo exhibition – in “The Third Exlibris Expo Exchange in Chang Zhou Wu Jin Exlibris Museum”, China
2017 -“Muestra Internacional 20 x 20 Arte Grafico Italia/Argentina”, by the National Association of Contemporary Engravers, Italy, Casa de la Cultura, Quilmes 2017, Argentina.
-“Italia & Argentina Prêt a Graver”, by the National Association of Contemporary Engravers, Italy, Casa Robegan, Treviso, Italy.
2016 “Paradisus , un profondo abbraccio con la natura” – solo exhibition – Busto Arsizio, Civiche Raccolte d’Arte Palazzo Marliani Cicogna, Text by Ettore Ceriani.
2016 “Natura in foglio – Paesaggi e visioni nell’incisione contemporanea”, by the National Association of Contemporary Engravers, Italy, Fondazione Benetton Studi Ricerche, Spazi Bomben, Treviso.
2016 “Silvana Martignoni, Exlibris collection” – solo exhibition – Frederikshavn Kunstmuseum & Exlibrissamling, Denmark.
2015 STELLAR Small Print – International Small Graphic Forms Exhibition at Constellation Studios, 2015 Lincoln NE, U.S.A.
2015 “Exlibris Nutrire il corpo, nutrire la mente”, L’Arte e il torchio Cremona 2015, Museo della Stampa, Soncino (CR).
2015 “Matilde Incisa-scacco al re”, a cura dell’Associazione Liberi incisori, Bologna, Complesso monumentale Basilica di S. Luca.
2015 8^ International Triennial of Grafic Art, N.I. Institute and Museum Bitola (Macedonia), 2^ premio condiviso con Associazione Nazionale Incisori Contemporanei.
2015 “L’Incisione Contemporanea nel Nord-Ovest”, a cura dell’Associazione Nazionale Incisori Contemporanei, Gorizia, Biblioteca Statale Isontina.
2015 “40 anni e oltre”, Milano, Centro dell’Incisione Alzaia Naviglio Grande.
2014 “Permanenza del segno 2”, a cura dell’Associazione Nazionale Incisori Contemporanei, Biblioteca Nazionale Universitaria di Torino.
2014 “Impressioni allo specchio”, a cura dell’Associazione Liberi incisori, Soncino (CR),Museo della Stampa-Casa Stampatori.
2014 “Silvana Martignoni:sensazioni e icone dell’anima”- solo exhibition – Soncino (CR),Museo della Stampa-Casa Stampatori.
2014 Silvana Martignoni:sensazioni e icone dell’anima”- solo exhibition – Milano, Centro dell’incisione Alzaia Naviglio Grande, text by Patrizia Foglia.
2014 “Chi non si maschera”, a cura dell’Associazione Liberi incisori, Parma, Museo Glauco Lombardi.
2013 “Silvana Martignoni:Peintures et gravures”- solo exhibition – Frejus, France, Clos des Roses Art Contemporain.
2012 “Dipinti e incisioni di Silvana Martignoni”- solo exhibition – Mantova, Galleria Arianna Sartori.
2012 “Il fiore azzurro” nel sogno per icone di Silvana Martignoni – solo exhibition – Brescia, Galleria I Monaci sotto le stelle, text by Floriano De Santi.

2012 “Balade entre Orient et poesie” – solo exhibition – Saint Raphael,France, Galerie Villa des Asphodèles, text by Sophie Bergeron.
1988 “Rassegna delle incisioni” – solo exhibition – Palazzo Sormani, Biblioteca Comunale di Milano, text by Patrizia Serra.
1986 “I fogli di Silvana Martignoni” – solo exhibition – Brescia, Galleria dell’Incisione, text by Gianfranco Bruno.
1985 “Disegni, acquaforti, puntasecche” – solo exhibition – Milano, Studio d’Arte Grafica, text by Riccardo Barletta.
1984 “Segni-sogni di Silvana Martignoni” – solo exhibition – Busto Arsizio, Galleria Il Punto Sette, presentazione di Miklos N.Varga.
1983 “Incisioni”, – solo exhibition – Trento, Galleria Il Castello, text by Gianfranco Bruno.
1982 “Martignoni. Dipingo in bianco e nero” – solo exhibition – Biella, Galleria Dialoghi Club, text by Bruno Pozzato.
1981 “Silvana Martignoni” – solo exhibition – Milano, Galleria Il Mercante, text by Domenico Cara.

 

Bibliography:

Bibliography :Ettore Ceriani, “Un segno sottile ma acuto” – Cliff Parfit, “Silvana Martignoni” in “American Bookplate Journal”, 2015,UK –  “Ex-libris by Silvana Martignoni” in Contemporary International Ex-Libris Artists 19/2014, Portugal  –  J.F. Chassaing, “Silvana Martignoni, ou la manière noire aux couleurs ensoleillées de l’Italie” in L’Ex-libris français 269/2014 – M. Mainardi,”Silvana Martignoni Ex Libris in armonia con la poesia della natura”in l’ex libris italiano AIE – Grafica d’Arte n.99/2014,Silvana Martignoni in schede d’artista – K. Vissers,”De tuinen van Silvana Martignoni”,in Boemerk 46/2014- P. Foglia,”Silvana Martignoni: sensazioni e icone dell’anima”- F. De Santi, Il “fiore azzurro” nel sogno per icone di Silvana Martignoni  – S. Bergeron,  “Balade entre Orient et  poésie” –  P.Serra, “Incisioni” – R. Barletta, “Disegni, acquaforti, puntasecche” – M.N.Varga, “Segni,sogni di Silvana Martignoni” – G.Bruno, “I fogli di Silvana Martignoni “ -R.Fontaba, “Una Italiana,premio Joan Mirò de dibujo” – B.Pozzato, “Martignoni.Dipingo in bianco e nero” – D.Cara,”L’immaginario, del  finito…”.

Other reviews: F. Buzio Negri-F. Bonalumi- G. Guiotto- G.Pacher-A.Nania-F.Poerio-L.Spiazzi-E.Cassa Salvi–P.Bellini-M. De Luca