Mauro Bergonzoli

International contemporary Artist
born December 24th 1965 Milan, Italy

The Italian Artist Mauro Bergonzoli was born in Milan on December 24th, 1965. In his fathers engraving studio he learned the craft of precision and draftsmanship as a young boy. At the age of 14, his teacher discovered his extraordinary artistic talent. Soon he was sent to art school and began selling his comics and artwork. Bergonzoli was quickly recruited by advertising agencies in Milan. A 25-year long career as creative director in commercial and animation films for companies like Ferrero and Geox followed. Bergonzoli finally broke free in 2000 to dedicate himself exclusively to the creation of his original artwork. Successful exhibitions followed in galleries, fairs and museums in cities such as Portofino, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Hong Kong, Milan, St. Moritz, Miami, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin, Bologna, Ravenna, Augsburg and Venezia.

Bergonzoli paintings tell stories of love and celebrate the beauty of life. His style is both playful and sophisticated, contemporary and “oldschool”. The artist creates works bursting with good vibrations and hand-paints every canvas solely by himself, with no Atelier assistants. He lives and works in his „Bavarian Giverny“- the Country Atelier outside Munich where he receives art collectors from around the globe.

Bergonzoli is best known for his modern „Canaletto-esque“ interpretations of Venice. With his signature NEO-POP style, he shows the ancient merchant city in all her glory and splendour, omitting the current contamination and pollution through mass tourism. He also loves to paint water lilies, fashionable women, beautiful architecture, majestic horses and desirable cars. „I have many visions to paint so I use acrylic instead of oil paints. It’s faster and environment friendly“.

@MichaelTinnefeld

With his signature eye symbol, Bergonzoli invites his viewer to keep an open mind, observe the world like a child and focus on what is really there. „ I believe a personal point of view is essential to keeping creative thoughts and ideas alive.“ His „magic bunny“ character appears randomly in his paintings and signifies love, productivity, fun and pleasure.

In 2019 Yoko Ono chose Mauro Bergonzoli’s art concept „Acqua Alta“ - message in a bottle – to be included in her Museum Exhibition „Peace is Power“ in Leipzig, Germany. Bergonzoli created the glass sculpture in Murano, Italy with Archimede Seguso and hand painted it with liquid chrome.

Interview with the Artist (2020)

Mauro, this Christmas Eve you celebrate your 55th birthday. How do you feel?
„I feel good. I feel strong. I feel happy.“

When and why did you go become vegan?
„4 years ago after the problem with my heart. I received two emergency stents and the doctors told me to take 8 pills a day, forever. The reaction to the pills made me feel not like myself. Together with my muse we decided to change our diet. We started to eat plant-based and do regular blood tests and then compare to how things were before. Everything immediately worked better. I began letting go of pills. Then I also left gluten, alcohol and sugar behind. Everything works perfectly without medicine. It’s another life. I feel good!“

How has your plant-based lifestyle affected your art?
„Positively. I have more focus. I am more productive. I’m even more inspired by mother nature than I was before. More beautiful stuff is coming out.“

Why do you paint?
„Because I love to paint. I was born to do this. It’s how every day I express what I feel inside. Its’ my way of communicating. My head thinks in images. I speak through my paintings. Art is my language.“

When you aren’t painting, how do you spend your time?
„Actually, I think about what I want to paint. And then I do lots of gardening, I spend time with my family, I enjoy cooking, and I play and listen to music. But anyway, all the time one part of my brain is working on images. And when the image is in focus, I must put it on canvas. Basically if I’m not painting I think about what I want to paint.“

Can you describe your Country Atelier?
„It’s a paradise on earth. It’s my place. It’s 4 seasons, flowers, fruits, plants, animals, water and great space to work outside and inside. I’m surrounded by nature. It’s like living in a natural park. It’s an island. My island on firm ground which attracts my art collectors who come to spend time with me. They want to see where the artist works, where their paintings are born.“

What sets you apart from other artists?
„I love to have a relationship with my collectors. I like to convert their wishes into reality in form of commissions. I know how to paint. I love what is beautiful and positive. I’m independent.“

How do you think the world will change after 2020?
„We shall see.“

What inspires you?
„Women, nature, animals, design, beautiful architecture, the classics, old-timers history, the great masters... everything that is beautiful.“

Why have you chosen to live and work in Bavaria Germany and not your hometown Milan?
„Love has brought me here. My Muse is from Bavaria.“

Where do see yourself in ten years?
„Working in my Country Atelier.“

What is your biggest dream as an artist?
„To be independent. To create my work freely every day and have wonderful collectors all over the world who love to buy, admire and enjoy my art.
My dream has already come true.“

Maestro with Photographer Michael Tinnefeld

Exhibitions

2022	„Mauro Bergonzoli“ - Schaezlerpalais Kunstsammlungen & Museen – Augsburg, Germany
2021	Kunst & Musik mit Starpianist Sebastian Knauer - Country Atelier, Kirchheim in Schwaben, Germany
2020	„AMORE“ - Art & Coffee Exhibition DINZLER Coffee Roasting Company – Irschenberg, Germany
2019	„Art Party“ - Art & Coffee Exhibition DINZLER Coffee Roasting Company – Irschenberg, Germany
2019	58th Venice Biennale - Bergonzoli Painting Series “Venezia” in the Hotel Belmond Cipriani, Venice, Italy
2018	Art & Coffee - Exhibtion DINZLER Coffee Roasting Company - Irschenberg, Germany
2017	Exhibition - Mauro Bergonzoli, Awethentic Gallery, Hong Kong, China
2016	„from Picasso and Miro‘ to Contemporary artists“ - Museum Site Oud Sin-Jan, di Bruges, Belgium
2016	Bergonzoli in Bavaria - Bavarian National Museum - Munich, Germany
2016	Musik and Art with Gerhard Polt, Country Atelier, Bavaria, Germany
2016	Creative Art and Food, Terra Madre, Museo MIIT, Torino, Italy
2016	Jakob in Venedig - Fürst Fuggerbank - Augsburg, Germany
2015	Exhibition Country Life - Country Atelier, Kirchheim - Bavaria, Germany
2015	Jaguar White Nights, Tegernsee, Germany
2014	Bergonzoli in Bavaria – Exhibition Bavarian National Museum – Munich, Germany
2014	Mozart - Exhibition Gut Bannacker – Augsburg, Germany
2014	Mauro Bergonzoli – selected works – Hubert Burda Media – Communication Highway – Munich, Germany
2014	Magic Bunnies – Exhibition at Egerner Höfe – Rottach Egern, Germany
2013	Pferd International, Munich, Germany
2012	“Göttinnen” – De Martino Gallery, Munich, Germany
2012	“Magic Kisses” – for Wrigley’s Spearmint, Galerie Einstein – Berlin, Germany
2011	Moving Images” Scheublein Fine Art Gallery, St. Moritz, Switzerland
2011	“The Magic Trip“ Galerie Terminus, Munich, Germany
2010	“Finissage“ Fürst Fugger Privatbank, Augsburg, Germany
2009	“Living and Modern Art“ – Fürst Fugger Privatbank, Augsburg Germany
2008	Villa Arconati, Milano, Italy
2008	Galleria A.S. Contemporanea, Forli, Italy
2008	Museo Mim, San Pietro in Cerro, Italy
2008	Museo de Arte Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2007	Galleria A. S., Milano – Venice Art Fair, Forli, Italy
2007	Biennale di Venezia, Venice, Italy
2007	Autoria Art Gallery, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2006	Galleria Bocca, Milano, Galleria A.S. Contemporanea, Forli, Italy
2006	Museo del Parco, Portofino, Italy
2004	Galleria A.S., Milano – Galleria Studio, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2003	Wilson Art Gallery, Montevideo, Uruguay
2000	Galleria Studio, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Group Exhibitions

2019	“Angeli e Artisti” Exhibition – Siena, Italy
2019	“Yoko Ono - Peace is Power” - Museum of Fine Arts, Leipzig, Germany
2018	“Angeli e Artisti” Exhibition – Monza, Italy
2017	Women in Focus - perspectives on empowerment & femininity - Awethentic Gallery - Hong Kong, China
2013	“Lebensmotor. Was uns antreibt” – Mercedes Benz Headquarters, Munich, Germany
2013	Domaine des Arts – St. Tropez, France
2011	“Wunderkunst Vernissage” Wunderkunst, Art de Vivre, Munich, Germany
2011	Polo + Art – Berenberg Polo Derby – Flo Peters Gallery – Hamburg, Germany
2010	Omeoart, Boiron - Homeopathic Medicine, Lyon,France
2008	Omeoart, Piacenza, Italy – Fondazione D ́ars Oscar Signorini, Castell ́Arquato, Italy
2007	Omeoart, Milano, Italy – Il Colore Del Domani, Palazzo Ducale, Genova, Italy

Artfairs
2019	58th Biennale di Venezia – Venice, Italy
2017	Art Basel Hong Kong, live VR painting performance - Awethentic Gallery, Hong Kong
2012	“Grafik 12” Art FAIR , Zurich, Switzerland
2011	Art Miami, Art FAIR, Miami, USA
2011	Art Fair 21, Köln, Germany
2007	Biennale Venezia, live performance for 100 giorni Joseph Beuys – 2007 Venezia, Italy
2007	Venice Art Fair, Forli, Italy

Other Projects

2021	"Mrs. Glock" - Neo Pop Art Illustration for Kathrin Glock – Austria
2021	Bergonzoli Art Wall painting for vegan Cheese company "Simply V" – Oberreute, Bavaria, Germany
2021	"Künstler helfen Künstlern-Kunstnothilfe” – Art on Helene Galways, Munich, Germany
2020	"Kunst nach Maß” – Bergonzoli on Fashion - Maßkunst, Munich, Germany
2020	"What about Art” - Corona Film Project with 5 Artists – Florentin Film, Munich, Germany
2019	Portrait of the Vegan Artist - Florentin Film – Country Atelier, Kirchheim, Germany
2019	Bergonzoli Wall painting with Kids for Elementary- and High school Kirchheim, Germany
2019	Masterclass for young artists “Art Spot” – Museum Villa Stuck, Munich, Germany
2019	Museum Villa Stuck - live painting performance of “Hippocampus”
201x	Briefmarken Fugger Bank
2014	Mauro Bergonzoli for converse – limited edition – www.notlikeyou.com
2014	Handpainted 6Liter Wine Bottle for Tribute to Bambi charity auction – children in need
2014	Mozart Festival – Augsburg – Exhibition, live painting and charity auction for gifted children in music
2013	Rita Hayworth 30th Alzheimer‘s Association Gala – Waldorf Astoria New York City – Mauro Bergonzo- li painting donated for the silent charity auction
2013	Charity project with Gut Aiderbichl and Mauro Bergonzoli
2013	Hadassah Hospital charity donation of a painting as well as a painted Mercedes Benz Smart car
2013	Lebenshilfe München e.V. received a donation for a Mauro Bergonzoli painting auctioned off for charity during the Pferd International 2013 in Munich, Germany
2012	Ritzenhoff “my little Darling” Espresso Cup – designed by Mauro Bergonzoli – available online

Advertising and Film (in Milan, Italy)

2003	Nutella Christmas, Executive, Ciao Web, Geox shoes, San Carlo Chips
1998	Director of short films animation made for Ferrero “Esta Thé“ and Kinder Surprise,
1997	Opens advertising agency “Los Angeles“ inventing special products for clients: Kinder Surprise, San Carlo Chips, Wackos, Ferrero Nutella seasonal campaigns, Varadero Rum, Carrera sun glasses
1997	Joint venture with “No advertising“ agency producing campaigns for Diadora Sport Wear, Ferrero, Scarpe e Scarpe, Nardi cucine, Ciao Web social network for Fiat
1995	Joint venture with Landó Nardi agency advertising products for Ferrero, Invicta Sport Wear, De Fonseca, Ras Bank
1993	First advertising agency “Reclam“ working for Casio, Lorenz, and BAI BANK
1991	Creative director for Transatlantic Milano advertising agency
1985	Free lance art director and illustrator for Unilever, Minolta, Ferrero, Mercedes, Bayer, Lipton Ice Tea,
1984	First publications of cartoons and storylines for Corrier Boy Cartoon Magazine

Interview with the Artist (2019)

When did you first know you are an artist?
My father was an engraver. One day when I was 2 years old, he drew a Donald Duck figure on my bedroom wall. All I remember since that moment is that I began drawing everywhere I went, in school, at home, in my head. I haven’t stopped since.

How do you feel when you paint?
I feel like I’m doing what comes naturally to me. It’s something I need to do. It’s a necessity for me, like breathing.

What is your creative process?
First I see an image in my head. Then I transfer or download this image onto my canvas with paint.

When do you know a painting is finished?
When the painting matches the image I had in my head before I began, when there is nothing else to add, then I know it’s perfect. Sometimes I need to let a canvas rest for weeks or months, sometimes years before finishing it.

What is the most challenging aspect of your profession?
Corruption in the art market.

And the most pleasurable?
Having art collectors who adore and enjoy what I produce. I love how they recognize that art is an investment in beauty and pleasure and not simply a money game.

Do you have a favourite painting subject?
I love beautiful women, old-timers, nature...whatever I find beautiful, I like to paint.

Which artists, living or dead, have influenced your style?
Masters of their craft like Picasso, Matisse, Monet, Canaletto. I admire those great artists who really knew how to paint in any style, realistic or abstract.

When you’re not painting, what do you enjoy most?
When I’m not painting I sometimes think about what I will paint next. Sometimes I just work in my garden or play the guitar and in my head I pick my next painting subject. Actually, I’m always painting.

How would you describe your art collectors?
They are intelligent people who are able to recognize what they like. They know exactly what they want and how they want it. My art collectors have special taste and enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Why did you choose to live and work in Bavaria, not Milan?
True Love brought me to Bavaria. My Muse is Bavarian.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years from now?
I see myself still painting and doing what I am doing today. I also see my work represented in many more private and public art collections around the globe.