Aldo Calo Biography
Aldo Calò (1910 - 1983) was a sculptor, painter and graphic designer. He was born in San Cesario di Lecce and in 1939 he obtained a diploma from the Master of Art in Florence. Having returned to his country of origin, he received the task of directing the metal laboratory at the School of Art of Lecce, a role he held in conjunction with another identical one at the School of Art of Bari. After the Second World War, together to other artists, writers and intellectuals from Lecce, he actively participates in the cultural life of the city. At the Circolo Cittadino of Lecce, in 1945, he held his first solo exhibition. He appeared on the national art scene a few years later when he was invited to exhibit at the Galleria del Cavallino in Venice. In 1948 he received first prize in Rome at the National Exhibition of Modern Art inspired by the sporting world. From 1954 to 1958 he directed the Art Institute of Volterra, then, for a short time, that of Naples, until, in 1959, he was called to direct the Art Institute of Rome. At the beginning of the 1950s Calò began to travel, stimulated by the impact he had had with international art. During his presence at the Venice Biennale in 1948 he discovered the work of Henry Moore, which represented a turning point in his artistic research. The comparison with the international climate that the Venice Biennale offered (he was invited to numerous editions in '48, '50, '52, '62) pushed him towards research in which classical statuary figuration was overcome. His research was thus inspired by new forms in line with the avant-gardes of the moment. The discovery of a new vision of artistic creativity takes him to Paris where he meets Arp and Zadkine who introduces him to critics and the French public. Two years later he was in England to learn more about Moore's work. He was present at the four-yearly exhibitions in Rome in the years 1955-1959-1966. In 1962 he received, ex aequo, the grand prize for sculpture at the Venice Biennale. In 1973 he was called to direct the Higher Institute of Industrial Design in Rome. In the same year he was awarded the coveted "Compasso d'Oro" award in Rome.
