Turi Simeti Italian, 1920

The Italian painter Turi Simeti is one of the most important representatives of Italy’s ZERO movement, alongside artists such as Enrico Castellani and Agostino Bonalumi.

Born in Alcamo in 1920, Simeti was a latecomer to painting, only turning to it after he moved to Rome in 1958. The painter and sculptor Alberto Burri had a substantial impact on this.
Simeti travelled to London, Basel and New York during the years that followed, and made the acquaintance of numerous representatives of contemporary avant-garde art.

Simeti moved to Milan in 1965, and joined Italy’s ZERO movement, which was originally founded in 1958 by Heinz Mack and Otto Piene.
In 1965, Simeti was one of several artists from around the world to participate in the “Zero Avantgarde” exhibition held in Lucio Fontana’s Milan studio. From this point onwards, he began to show his works in international exhibitions.

Monochromatic canvases shaped by ovals are among his trademarks. Relief-style raised areas create a unique three-dimensional effect. The works by this internationally recognised artist are to be found in important collections held by public and private cultural institutions the world over.
Today, Simeti lives and works in Milan.