Nag Arnoldi Biography
Nag Arnoldi (Locarno, 1928 - Lugano, 2017) Nag Arnoldi was born in Locarno on 18 September 1928 in Locarno. He initially trained in Lugano, a city which during the war recorded the presence of artists such as Marino Marini, as well as that of Antonio Chiattone, whose studio he frequented after the war. Giuseppe Foglia, Carlo Cotti and Filippo Boldini also welcomed the artist into their ateliers. In 1950 Arnoldi obtained a diploma as a theatrical costume designer and fashion designer at the Lugaresi school in Milan; in 1954 he attended courses at the Accademia Regina Margherita in Rome. He stayed in Murano at the Fornace Mazzega to study glass technique (1954–55). At the 1953 exhibition in Milan Arnoldi became acquainted with Picasso's work, which was decisive for the development of his art. The expressionist painting of Emil Nolde, Edvard Munch, George Grosz and Otto Dix also took on particular importance in the years of its maturation. He exhibited for the first time with the Ticino Society of Fine Arts in 1951. First personal exhibition at the Galleria del Sole in Castagnola in 1954, followed by a vast exhibition activity. Frequent trips abroad. In 1964 he exhibited in Mexico City, at the invitation of the Museo Nacional de arte Moderno, and in the United States. Arnoldi, attracted by pre-Columbian civilisations, stayed for long periods both in Mexico - where he maintained a deep friendship with two important Mexican artists, Rufino Tamayo and David Alfaro Siqueiros - and in North America. Starting from 1955 he received various recognitions and prizes for works in public spaces. Teacher at the Artistic Industries School Center of Lugano (CSIA, 1962–1993). Since the 1970s he has dedicated himself almost exclusively to sculpture. Since the 1990s, numerous exhibitions have taken place in several countries. The artist lived in Comano, where he also worked in the adjacent atelier. He passed away on February 9, 2017.
