Artists

“I want the public to touch my sculptures, to caress them, to make them vibrate.”

Born in Lecce in 1961 with a classical education, sculptor Maurizio Toffoletti draws inspiration from Egyptian art and Michelangelo. His spiritual mentors include Brancusi, Moore, Arp, Max Bill, and Calder. His early sculptures lean towards the figurative; he works with local limestone, white Carrara marble, clay, and olive wood. An encounter with Picasso’s artistic language marks his transition toward a vision of freedom. Through his sculptures, Toffoletti seeks to demonstrate how human beings can break free from the finite space they inhabit and reach toward the infinite. He develops a true artistic calling for marble, leading to a profound exploration of light and resonance.

After moving to Paris in 1989, Toffoletti divides his time between the French capital, Pietrasanta, and Carrara. He plays an active role in Parisian cultural life, exhibiting at prestigious galleries such as Denise René and Enrico Navarra. He displays monumental sculptures in famous Parisian locations, including Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Jardin du Luxembourg. In 1999, he establishes a presence in Neuilly-sur-Seine, where he opens his studio. The artist conducts sculpture classes for both adults and children, sharing his passion for the medium. That same year, he participates in the Paris Sculpture Biennale. Since 1987, he has held major solo exhibitions in cities across Europe, as well as in the United States and Japan.