Biography

Born in Milan, 7 March 1967, with a background in the Classics, Davide Tirelli first expressed his curiosity in the world of art through his involvement in the Academic world of Milan (where he studied during the period 1988-1990), and subsequently by studying history of art, costume and colour.

The cardinal themes of his work began to take shape: the recycling plants from which he obtained his materials, a taste for occupying spaces (both external, social and at home) through hurled masses of coloured lavic-plastic, a fascination for images as language, and not as a symbol.

From polymers transformed by fire to mannerist paintings on discarded street signs; from layouts of peat on industrial paper to ripped-out, unfinished walls showing signs of aging…, Tirelli risks – as he himself says – “evoking something organic, visceral and maybe even horrid, to give, in the end, glimpses of heaven.

In 1995 he contributed to the preparation of Carmelo Bene’s famous “Hamlet Suite” creating a canvas (tris-nero n.1) that was used as part of the stage design during its recording.

From 1997 to 2000, there were several one-man and collective exhibitions in Milan (Spazio Fontana), Miami (Dilmos Fine Arts), and Copenhagen (Hornhus Gallery).

2002
In Lugano he exhibited “Infiorescenze Perimetrali & co.” (his first retrospective exhibition), under the aegis of the Cultural Ministry. He presented his works from 1994-2000 beside his most recent large-scale, three-dimensional works.

As a guest of the Locarno Film Festival (directed by Irene Bignardi), Tirelli created the “Scudo Pardo” for the event.

The art historian Claudio Metzger saw in the “Segnal Etica” series (reinterpretations of baroque paintings on discarded road signs) the opportunity to host, for the first time, a contemporary artist in his gallery in Ascona (Galleria Aion). These works were displayed next to authentic works of Guido Reni, Quellinus, as well as archeological finds from different periods.

2003
In the collection “Hearth without measures” (at Entratalibera-Milano) he presented the Orange series (Clessidra, Piercing, Cubi) from “Infiorescenze Perimetrali”.

He exhibited “Free hands – Friends” at the Centro Sant’Agostino di Crema, at the Minister of Culture’s invitation. The piece “Dejanira” from the “Segnal Etica” series embellished the collections of the Museo Civico di Crema.

He created “Dea della pioggia” participating in a project carried out by the Libreria Bocca di Milano, a historic book shop located in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II of Milan, which brought together works of different artists, arranged like tiles on the floor and covered with crystal to form a spectacular floor design.

“Bocca – Milano” published one of Tirelli’s illustrations for John Donne’s poem “Witchcraft by a picture” in the 39th volume of “I Girasoli”, a series of limited edition art books.

2004 - 2005
Tirelli moved to Cannes, where he lives and works. “Bocca – Milano” published “Trinità” in the 57th volume of “I Girasoli”: Tirelli was selected to celebrate the work of Tonino Guerra, precious assistant of Federico Fellini.

The series “Geologica” embellished the collections of UBS in Lugano.

The work “Trave white” was bought by the international rapper 50cent and appears in the video clip Window Shopper filmed between Cannes and Montecarlo.

2006
Tirelli has been invited to show some works at the first edition of the Cannes’ Millionaire Fair.

He exhibited at the “Lightcontemporary” in London his latest works (bitumen on canvas and paperboard), and a selection of the most important works from his artistic career.

Very sensitive regarding humanitarian causes he donated the work “Les Témoins” for the Charity Auction held on 1st December 2006 for the Fight Aids Association in Monaco, defended by H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie.

The most important auction house in Switzerland (Schuler Auktionen - Zurich) sold 2 works for the auction of 15 December 2006.

2007
The Artemisia Gallery of Monaco-Montecarlo presented “The Bitumi” and “Ouvertures” together with a number of sculptures in plastic materials, and bronzes from the “Infiorescenze Perimetrali” series.

The space “Montecarlo Forever” showed large works that combine his present forms of expression with the architectural and structural needs of the place.

2008
The World’s Artists Gallery of Nice is showing a selection of the most recent works, including “Le Soleil Noir”, from the “Ouvertures” series.