Salvatore Scarpitta: Material X

M&L Fine Art London is proud to present an exhibition dedicated to the investigation of the most fervid and significant period in Salvatore Scarpitta's artistic development from 1958-68. This is the first solo exhibition of his work in London. His experience of World War II had a huge impact on his life meaning works created between 1945 and the early fifties were characterised by social content, documenting the struggles of workers, the atomic bomb and racial discrimination. Following time spent in Rome between 1955 and 1957 he created a series of materialist paintings, some brightly coloured and loaded with energy. Unsatisfied with them, Scarpitta began a crucial phase of research and literally ripped apart his oil paintings so he could reassemble them on the frame. He stated that he wanted "an experience with my own bare hands. So I began to tear the oil paintings apart... The war had left marks of fear and revenge, so I had to take some risk and leave my finger prints behind." Eight paintings that represent his experimentation with the raw canvas, with all its natural qualities, will be presented in 'Material X'. It was ultimately the material that turned out to be the main subject of Scarpitta's work where tension was added through folds and shapes to create dynamic, original compositions.