To create his works Francesco Arena starts from History, in particular from the political and social facts that characterize the recent past. Episods – too many times hidden or hushed up – in his works gain a new life thanks to the synthetic and metaphorical forms of his sculptures.
Francesco Arena’s works have been shown in solo exhibitions, among which: Autumn Lines, Sprovieri Gallery, London, (2016); sette, uno, quattro, Galleria Raffaella Cortese, Milan (2015); 3 Ludwig reflections and 1 horizon, Nogueras Blanchard, Madrid (2014); Onze mille cent quatre-vingt sept jours, Frac Champagne-Ardenne, Reims (2013); Trittico 57, Museion, Bolzano (2012); Orizzonte con riduzione di Mare, Monitor, Roma (2012); Com’è piccola Milano, Peep Hole, Milano (2011); Art Statement, Art Basel; Teste, Fondazione Ermanno Casoli, Fabriano (2010).
He has also taken part in several group exhibitions, among which: Ennesima, Triennale di Milano, Milan (2015); Nero su bianco, American Academy, Rome 2015; Pass. Kunst in dorpen, Mullem, Huise, Wannegem, Lede 2015; TUTTTOVERO, Castello di Rivoli – Museo d’Arte Contemporanea, Rivoli 2015; Sculptures Also Die, Centre for Contemporary Culture Strozzina, Palazzo Strozzi, Firenze 2015; Art Parcourse, Art Basel 45, Basel 2014; Ritratto dell’artista da giovane, Castello di Rivoli – Museo d’Arte Contemporanea, Rivoli (2014); Liberdade em movimento, , Fundação Iberê Camargo, Porto Alegre, Brasil 2014; Vice Versa, Italian Pavilon, 55 Biennale di Venezia, Venice (2013); La storia che non ho vissuto, Castello di Rivoli, – Museo d’Arte Contemporanea, Rivoli (2012); The revolution must be made little by little |part 2: The Squaring of the Circle, Galeria Raquel Arnaud, San Paolo, Brasile 2012; Sotto la Strada la Spiaggia, Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Turin (2012); Il bel paese dell’arte, GAMEC, Bergamo (2011); Pleure qui peu rit qui veut – Premio Furla, Palazzo Pepoli, Bologna (2011); Temporaneo – contemporary art in the evolving city, organized by Nomas Foundation and IMF Foundation, Rome (2010); Practicing Memory – In the time of an all – engaging present, Fondazione Pistoletto, Biella (2010).
