
Davide Balliano
Turin, Italy
Lives and works in New York, New York
Davide Balliano's (b. 1983) research operates on the thin line of demarcation between painting and sculpture. Utilizing an austere, minimal language of abstract geometries in strong dialogue with architecture, his work investigates existential themes such as the identity of man in the age of technology and his relationship with the sublime.
Through a practice that is self-described as monastic, austere and concrete, Balliano’s meticulous paintings appear, upon first glance, clean and precise. However, closer inspection reveals scrapes and scratches that uncover the organic wooden surface underneath the layers of paint, as a decaying façade of abandoned modernistic intentions.
In addition to painting, Davide Balliano is also known for his sculptural work, which translates the visual vocabulary found in his paintings into solid objects, often in ceramic, wood or stone. Originally trained in photography, Balliano shifted to painting and sculpture in 2006 while relocating to New York City, where he currently resides and works.
Balliano's recent solo exhibitions include a presentation at Tina Kim Gallery, New York, (2021, 2019, & 2017), Museo Novecento, Florence (2019), Museo MARCA, Catanzaro (2018), Bottega Veneta Maison, New York (2018), 39 Great Jones, New York (2018), Luce Gallery, Turin (2017 & 2015), Timothy Taylor Gallery, London (2015), Room East, New York (2014), Rolando Anselmi Galerie, Berlin (2014 & 2012), Galerie Michael Rein, Paris (2013), Location One, New York (2011), The Artists Space, New York (2009).
His work has been included in numerous group exhibitions, including Tina Kim Gallery, New York (2020 & 2019), David Zwirner Gallery, New York (2015), Sean Kelly Gallery, New York (2014 & 2010), Madre Museum, Naples (2012), The Watermill Center, New York (2011 and 2009), MoMA PS1, New York (2010), Espace d’Art Contemporain de Castello, Castellon, Spain (2010).
Installation view at Tina Kim Gallery, 2019
Installation view at Tina Kim Gallery, 2019
Davide Balliano (b. 1983)
UNTITLED_0245, 2022
Plaster, gesso & varnish on Belgian linen
36 x 48 inches
91.4 x 121.9 cm
InquireDavide Balliano (b. 1983)
UNTITLED_0230, 2022
Plaster, gesso & varnish on Belgian linen
11 x 14 inches
27.9 x 35.6 cm
InquireDavide Balliano (b. 1983)
UNTITLED_0233, 2022
Plaster, gesso & varnish on Belgian linen
48 x 48 inches
121.9 x 121.9 cm
InquireDavide Balliano (b. 1983)
UNTITLED_0193, 2021
Plaster, gesso & varnish on Belgian linen
120 x 60 inches
304.8 x 152.4 cm
InquireDavide Balliano (b. 1983)
UNTITLED_0158, 2019
Plaster, gesso & varnish on wood
72 x 72 inches
182.9 x 182.9 cm
InquireDavide Balliano (b. 1983)
UNTITLED_SS_S1, 2019
Stainless steel
19.69 x 11.81 x 19.69 inches
50 x 30 x 50 cm
Edition 1/3, 2 AP
InquireDavide Balliano (b. 1983)
UNTITLED_0245, 2022
Plaster, gesso & varnish on Belgian linen
36 x 48 inches
91.4 x 121.9 cm
Davide Balliano (b. 1983)
UNTITLED_0230, 2022
Plaster, gesso & varnish on Belgian linen
11 x 14 inches
27.9 x 35.6 cm
Davide Balliano (b. 1983)
UNTITLED_0233, 2022
Plaster, gesso & varnish on Belgian linen
48 x 48 inches
121.9 x 121.9 cm
Davide Balliano (b. 1983)
UNTITLED_0193, 2021
Plaster, gesso & varnish on Belgian linen
120 x 60 inches
304.8 x 152.4 cm
Davide Balliano (b. 1983)
UNTITLED_0158, 2019
Plaster, gesso & varnish on wood
72 x 72 inches
182.9 x 182.9 cm
Davide Balliano (b. 1983)
UNTITLED_SS_S1, 2019
Stainless steel
19.69 x 11.81 x 19.69 inches
50 x 30 x 50 cm
Edition 1/3, 2 AP
Tina Kim Gallery presents a stop-motion video that takes a playful look at Balliano's monastic and labor intensive painting practice, as he layers the materials onto bespoke wooden panels. A special thanks to Davide Balliano and Maria Sprowls for dedicating their time and resources to make this video possible.
April 2020
Tina Kim Gallery checked in with Balliano to ask how he has been passing the time during quarantine, how this period of isolation impacted his work, and what we can learn from artists during these uncertain times.
April 2020
by Arun Kakar, Josie Thaddeus-Johns and Casey Lesser
“The Cumulative Effect”
Songwon Art Center
Aug 30 – Sep 15
In Florence, Davide Balliano strikes up a dialogue with sculptor Arturo Martini
By: Osman Can Yerebakan
Davide Balliano’s Mystical Geometrics at Tina Kim Gallery
By: Nicholas Forrest