Iaphet Elli 
Galleria Poggiali is honored to present
“ARCHIPELAGO”
“Viewed from afar, your form shrinks, but your essence looms large.”
an artistic journey by JOHN ISAACS
meticulously curated by Pierre Yves Desaive
Exhibit Duration: April 11 – June 29, 2018
Location: Galleria Poggiali – Foro Buonaparte, 52 – Milan
GRAND OPENING: Tuesday, April 10 at 19:00
You are cordially invited to the revealing of “Archipelago – Viewed from afar, your form shrinks, but your essence looms large,” a definitive solo exhibition by the highly-acclaimed British artist John Isaacs, with curation by the esteemed Pierre Yves Desaive, taking place at Galleria Poggiali on Foro Buonaparte in Milan.
John Isaacs, an influential artist and former member of the Young British Art movement, whose works grace the collections of prominent personalities like Charles Saatchi and Damien Hirst, introduces a unique project for the Milanese audience. It comprises three components: a mesmerizing sculpture employing materials like ceramic and gold leaf, an evocative neon installation, and a profound photograph, all specifically conceived for this exhibition.
Isaacs’s previous engagements include a summer 2017 exhibition at Galleria Poggiali in Pietrasanta, a group show at the Palazzo del Governatore in Parma, and his active role in the third “Ngorongoro” artist weekend in Berlin as a founder and curator.
Pierre Yves Desaive, the respected contemporary art commissioner at the Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique and president of the Belgian art critics association, observes that Isaacs’s body of work ingeniously navigates the delicate equilibrium between personal identity and the collective human experience. Isaacs’s artistry prompts a reimagined understanding of history through the use of temporal materials, blurring the lines between antiquity and modernity.
An accompanying catalogue with an insightful essay by the curator will be available. The exhibit welcomes visitors daily (except Sundays and Mondays) from 10:00 to 13:30 and 15:00 to 19:30, through to June 29. Entry is complimentary.
The Exhibition Highlights
A centerpiece sculpture, reminiscent of a life-size excavator bucket, transforms into a symbol from an ancient civilization, a relic hinting at past veneration.
The neon installation, emblazoned with “if not now then when,” resonates with the juxtaposition of history and contemporary life, reminiscent of the works of renowned artists like Merz and Nauman.
The poignant photograph, “a perfect soul,” portrays Isaacs’s family, weaving together themes of love, legacy, motherhood, and the human saga.
John Isaacs’s Artistic Journey
John Isaacs has been a significant presence in the art world for over two decades, with highlights including Young British Artists VI at The Saatchi Gallery, London (1996); Spectacular Bodies at The Hayward Gallery, London (2000); and a rich portfolio that traces his artistic evolution.
John Isaacs continues to create from his Berlin studio.
“Archipelago – Viewed from afar, your form shrinks, but your essence looms large.”
An artistic journey by John Isaacs, curated by Pierre Yves Desaive
Exhibit Dates: Wednesday, April 11 to Friday, June 29, 2018
GRAND OPENING: Tuesday, April 10 at 19:00
Galleria Poggiali
Foro Buonaparte, 52 – Milan
Contact: +39-02-72095815
Email: info@galleriapoggiali.com
Website: www.galleriapoggiali.com
Visiting Hours: 10:00 – 13:30 and 15:00 – 19:30
Closed Sundays and Mondays
