AFRICANA (2014) Painting by Redi Casarsa

Class '42, Redi Casarsa was born in Branco di Tavagnacco, a few kilometers from Udine, in eastern Friuli. Son of a painter decorator and raised in a historical period of cultural rebirth, he very early revealed his passion for drawing and painting and, attending the 'Giovanni da Udine' art school, entrusted his care to the Masters Emilio Caucigh and Dino Basaldella. At the end of the 1950s, his talent was brought to light by the regional press and in 1961, at the age of 19, he won the first prize in a graphic competition for the Belgian glass industry, leading him to emigrate to northern Europe for 30 years. .
This 'exile' was not an impediment to continue to stand out in Italy, in fact, in 1967, he won the first prize of the international competition 'Ex Tempore' in Rigolato and subsequently, his art will be a continuous recognition, with affirmations and prizes to international level, collecting hundreds of solo and group exhibitions.

He traveled to Brittany, Spain, Portugal, Africa and his works are affected by all this: from the snowy landscapes immersed in the Nordic mists of an atmosphere that seems suspended in time, to the yellow or green meadows where the richness of color, always very mellow, lyrically translates all the vitality of nature; while the female portraits, his African women, convey sensuality and mystery. His first identity path leads him to re-read expressionism and in this sense the figures of the 60s are absolutely indicative. In the 1970s, the artist sought a more realistic expression in the figure, more detached from the historical and artistic context, more inclined to expressive freedom.

Over the years, mainly from the 90s, a landscape vein is nurtured, revealing itself as a narrative, a story, a journey that takes us to the fields of the Netherlands, passing through Tuscany, Provence, Andalusia, focusing on the details , expressing their inner visions, applying them on canvas. This landscape research still accompanies him today.
His snow-covered landscapes give us a feeling of calm, while the Mediterranean, Provençal or African environments he experienced, exude warmth.
Several of his works can be found in public and private collections in Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland, United States of America, Republic of Congo, Croatia and Slovenia.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Redi Casarsa is primarily self-taught and has a completely personal conception of art and approach to it. He believes it is important to always take risks and that inspiration can be found in anything you look at. To find out more about his philosophy, contact him.

• Nationality: ITALY
• Date of birth : 1942
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary Italian Artists