Isabella Monari

was born in Bologna and is currently living and working in Rome. Her research focuses on the subject of HUMAN INTERACTIONS, PLAY and SPORT.

She studied foreign languages and attended the "Free school of nude" at the Academy of Fine Arts. She has a degree in Political Sciences specializing in Sociology. Her academic backgroundhas been instrumental to her exhamination and portrayal of society and human relations.

Her art reflects a unique ability to capture the state of mind of her subjects in social context and evokes a blend of energy and enthusiasm.

The protagonists of her artworks are the interactions among individuals, often described in an ironic way, highlighting their vices and oddities; other times they are described in an almost dreamy way, in an atmosphere of suspended time.

The theme of sport,one of the recurring.is actually a pretext to talk about what’s happening today and,in the light of the values it teaches,contrast the prevailing individualism

In her work her aim is not the aesthetic, but the creation of a relaxing atmosphere, making extensive use of warm nues and vibrant colors that evoke and array of positive emotions.

Oil on wood is one of the technique she prrefers. Wood is a material that lends itself to become an integral part of the background and characters, effortlessly creating and natural harmony

Artworks in public collections

Collection of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome

National Art Museum of Sport, Indianapolis USA

San Salvatore in Lauro Museums, Rome

CONI ( Italian National Olympic Committee), Rome

Modigliani Picture Gallery, Follonica

Youth International Exchanges office, Bologna Cityhall

Art Auctions

CHRISTIE’ S Auction. Contemporary Art for marginalized , Rome, 16 July 2019. Painting "Playing in the blue".

CHRISTIE’ S Auction. 160th Anniversary of the Vittoriale, House of  the Italians, Gardone Riviera, June 2023. Painting “Grand Prix”.

International fine art prizes

Indianapolis USA - 2nd Prize "Commitment to Excellence in Art and Sport" - National Museum of Art and Sport (2014)

Some Solo Exhibitions

Rome, L’Acquario Gallery, May 2003

Follonica, Modigliani Picture Gallery,  December 2003

Rome, Paolo Antonacci Gallery,  June  2004

Bologna, Gnaccarini Gallery, November 2005

Rome, The Foreign Affairs Ministry Club, May 2006

Rome, Spazio sette Interior Design , December 2010

Rome, The Foreign Affairs Ministry Club, June 2013

Rome, Emperor Domitian Stadium, Women in Art Week,  March 2015

Rome, Sallustiana 27 Gallery, May 2015

Roma Women in Art, Elsa Morante Culture Promotion Center, July 2016

Laguna Beach USA Forest & Ocean Gallery, September 2016

Rome, San Salvatore in Lauro Museums, May 2019

Spoleto, 62nd Festival of Two Worlds, June 2019

Padova, Arte Padova, November 2021

Venice, San Gregorio Gallery , April 2022

Dubai, FIVE Palm Jumeirah and Ayyam Gallery, April 2023

Singapore, YANG Gallery - event LIV Singapore, May 2024

Institutional Presences

Beijing, Olimpic Games 2008, Italian Pavillon

Vancouver, Winter Olimpic Games 2010, Italian Pavillon

London, Olimpic Games 2012, Italian Pavillon

Indianapolis USA, National Art Museum of Sport, 2014

Art Public Exhibits

Bologna, ARTE FIERA 2008

56th Venice Biennal, collateral exhibit Global Village, 2015

Indio, CA - USA, SWAF art fair , 2016

Padova, ARTE PADOVA 2021

Paintings chosen as cover images

“ Boys match on the beach” .  Cover image for the book “Teaching to train”, published by the Italian National Olimpic Commitee  to commemorate the School of Sport’s  50th  anniversary (2016)

“Friends beyond the walls”.  Cover image for the book “Free inside ,changing is possible even in jail”, Infinito Editions, (2019)

“ I choose life” . Cover image for the Conference of the Supreme Court of Justice “Violence and gender discrimination: words and rights” (2023)

Other experiences

Public speaker at the Congress “ Art in the Olympics”. Title of the speech : “The artist view” . Giulio Onesti Center for Olympic Training, Rome, October 2016

President of the Jury at the competition “ The universal language of sport”, Rome October 2016

Publications

BOOKS

Montepaolo nella storia (2000)

Fantafiabe, Einaudi Ragazzi Editions (2002)

Italian Olympic spirit, signs communication from west to east (2008), Turin University Editions

Bologna, City Guide (2008), Bologna City

Commemorative volume for the 70th anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Club, Gangemi Editions(2009)

Sport in Art, Turin University National Editions (2009)

Football: an Italian educational way to the culture of sport, Levrotto & Bella Editions

Tradition and innovation, the Italian Olympic spirit in London (2012)

Urbis et Artis, Art and Culture (2014)

Italien 2e année, Hachette Education, Paris (2014)

Images of sport, culture of sport, Italian National Olympic Academy (2016)

Vittorio Cini, l’ultimo Doge al Vittoriale, Il Cigno GG Editions, (2023)

 CATALOGUES

"Isabella Monari”, Modigliani Picture Gallery (2003).  Editor: Parnaso Library . Curator: Gregorio Rossi.  Project: Roberto Sabatelli-Museum Director

“Les jeux sont faits” (2006)  Editor: Multimedia Artel. Curator: Massimo Gazzè Riccardi. Presentation: Ambassador Umberto Vattani

“ Sunny days ” (2015)  Editor: Millennium. Curator: Professor Egidio Maria Eleuteri

“ Relazioni in gioco ” (2019)  Editor: Il Cigno GG. Curator: Caterina Napoleone

Exhibitions in conferences and sports awards

“Sport as Art of Masters”, LUMSA University, Rome , November 2009

“Art in the Olympics, yesterday and today”, the SCHOOL of SPORT, Italian Olympic Committee, Rome, October 2016

Polo Audi International Cup 2006 , Rome Polo Club

Sailing Tour of Italy 2006, Roma Yacht Club

Rome Horse Racing Award 2006, Capannelle Racecourse

Fencing International Cup 2008, 4th Ravagnan Trophy , Turin ( Creation of the Work of art used as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize)

Tennis International Cup 2008, 8th APT Award, Turin

Polo Openings 2016, Empire Polo Club, Indio CA- USA

Some articles where published in the following newspapers and magazines

 Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera, Il Tempo, Il Giornale, Libero, Italia Sera, Il Corriere Laziale, Leggo, Il Resto del Carlino.