Nico Freti

I live in Bergamo, Italy, and was born near Varese in 1957. I work in the fields of visual art and psychology, driven by my two passions: art and psychology.
Light and shadow have been central themes in my journey. According to psychoanalyst C.G. Jung, we all possess a shadow—a hidden aspect of our psyche that we dislike and reject. This disowned self becomes our dark side. I have devoted a significant part of my life to illuminating the parts hidden in the shadow. Through personal work and professional guidance, I have helped many students and clients bring light to their own darkness.
I have taught in Fine Arts Academies and various other settings. In parallel with my artistic interests, I have cultivated a line of personal development.
As an artist, I have deeply explored the interplay of light and shadow, investigating phenomena such as reflected light, raking light, backlighting, projection, and other variations that reveal the dynamic dialogue between light and shadow. One of my optical fiber works is part of the Leggeri Collection.

I graduated in Painting from the Carrara Academy in Bergamo. I furthered my education with a Master's degree in Clinical and Rehabilitation Psychology from Unicusano, followed by a Master's degree in Symbolic Cultures for Art, Education, and Care Professions at Bicocca University in Milan. I also participated in a three-week residency with William Kentridge, hosted by the Atlantic Center for the Arts.

2024. Estraneità e traduzione. Studio Balini. Bergamo. Personale. Con un intervento di Giovanna Brambilla.
2023. Presente inquieto. Bergamo. Curated by Stefania Burnelli e Fernando Noris.
2023. Spazio-Forma. Vertova. Curated by V. Balini e A. Iezzi.
2023. Rispecchiarsi. Sala Attilio Regolo. Palazzo Te. MatTam Mantova. Curated by Annarosa Buttarelli e Lucio Pozzi, in collaborazione con Donata Negrini e in co-produzione con Fondazione Palazzo Te. 
2023. Rispecchiarsi. Studio Balini Bergamo. 
2022. Senza confini. Arte sull’acqua. Pescherie di Giulio Romano, Mantova. Festival della Letteratura. Curated by Donata Negrini.
2022. Qualcosa del genere. Biblioteca di Nembro. Curated by Giovanna Brambilla.
2019. Casa di vita Armonia del tempo. Curated by Simonetta Gorreri. Villa Barbaro, Maser. Catalogo di Oliviero Toscani.
2017. ALT al Palatino – Da Duchamp a Cattelan. 100 opere di grandi artisti dalla raccolta Tullio Leggeri. Curated by Alberto Fiz e Tullio Leggeri. Museo Palatino, Roma.  Catalogo Electa.
2017. La congiunzione degli opposti. Personale. Curated by Raffaele Sicignano e Maurizio Bonfanti. Spazio Espositivo Le Stanze, Trescore Balneario. 
2016. Accorgersi. Un lavoro sulla gratitudine. Genius Loci. Convento Santa Maria dell’Inco...