A piece of Guggenheim Sculpture

Vlady (aka Vladyart) is part of that generation of multidisciplinary artists who, with the new millennium, by choosing a mononym, have dedicated themselves almost exclusively to unsanctioned art. Although he made himself known for his minimal and conceptual street art, it would be reductive to qualify him as a simple street artist. Vlady can be much more, across exhibitions, installations and fine art works. Known for his minimal, spontaneous and socio-political street-based works, Vlady was born in Sicily the mid-70s and grew up in an underclass neighbourhood in the violent 80s. Shortly after high school (State Institute of Art), Vlady headed to Milan to study at Brera’s Art Academy. Following a degree in fine art (MFA), disillusioned and uninterested in an artistic career, he left Italy for Ireland (2003). In 2008, he returned to his hometown and here is where significantly increased his outdoor interventions. With the complicity of the economic crisis, in one of the most disadvantaged areas of southern Italy, Vlady challenged his own society with an unprecedented, sarcastic, cutting-edge guerrilla activism and represented, in the period 2010-2016, an essential voice on the Italian scene. Over the time, Vlady’s approach has turned more conceptual and communicative – the use of text has increased notably. There is a peculiar blend of conflicting feelings in his works: a sort of joyful melancholy, a bittersweet taste, a glorious decay, a self-declaration of existence. Thanks to his witty, smart and critical approach towards society and environments, Vlady has gained an international status in urban/public art, resulting in publications, articles, interviews, exhibitions and invitations throughout the European continent, from Spain to Russia. Since 2016, he lives in Stockholm (Sweden).