The Quiet Presence of Giovanni Dalessi
The year 2013 marks a specific peak in the recognition of Giovanni Dalessi, when he was named Artist of the Year by Stichting Kunstweek. This recognition follows a career defined by a steady, focused output of figurative works. Born in 1964 in Eindhoven, his practice moves between the tactile weight of oil on canvas and the precision of graphic works. There is a recurring interest in the human form, often captured in portraits that lean into the psychological weight of the subject. In works like De Zwarte Madonna, the medium of oil on canvas provides a depth that anchors the composition, a stark contrast to the more delicate, intimate scale of his works on paper.
His technical range extends beyond the brush. He navigates the complexities of printmaking, utilizing various methods to translate his vision onto paper. These technical explorations include:
A Geography of Exhibitions
Dalessi’s trajectory moves through the Dutch art scene via a steady rhythm of solo exhibitions and group shows. His work resides in the Noordbrabants Museum in 's-Hertogenbosch. The exhibition history traces a path from the local spaces of Eindhoven and Maastricht to the European Parliamentarium in Brussels. He has occupied diverse environments, from the formal halls of the Drents Museum to the specialized settings of Stichting Complex in Eindhoven. His presence extends to the Museum De Pont in Tilburg and the Alicia Winters Galerià in Amsterdam.
The focus often shifts between the figure and its surroundings. In a 2012 portrait, a lady with long reddish-brown hair sits against an abstract background, stripping away narrative to isolate the character of the sitter. This tension between the figurative and the abstract defines much of his output. Whether executing a small 19 x 19 cm work on paper or a large 120 x 160 cm silkscreen, the structural integrity of the image remains the priority.
