Nanni Valentini - Interspaces: Everson Museum of Art
Everson Museum of Art, 401 Harrison St, Syracuse, NY 13202, Stati Uniti
https://everson.org/explore/upcoming-exhibitions/nanni-valentini-interspaces/
Everson Museum of Art Presents Nanni Valentini: Interspaces
A landmark exhibition reintroducing to American audiences Valentini’s groundbreaking work: a pioneering Italian artist who redefined ceramics as fine art.
In collaboration with Italian cultural partners: Nanni Valentini Archive, Savona Ceramics Museum Foundation, and ABC-ARTE Genova/Milano.
Syracuse, NY – The Everson Museum of Art will have the exhibition Nanni Valentini: Interspaces, on view May 2 through September 6, 2026, marking an opportunity to experience one of Italy’s most influential postwar ceramic artists to American audiences.
First introduced to the United States through the Everson’s historic 1958 Ceramic International exhibition, Valentini quickly emerged as a transformative voice in contemporary ceramics. His work was noticed by Italian artist Lucio Fontana and challenged the boundaries between functional pottery and fine art, positioning ceramics within a broader conceptual and artistic discourse.
Interspaces traces Valentini’s evolution over several decades, from his early roots in traditional pottery to his later groundbreaking works that blur the lines between painting, sculpture, and material experimentation. In the 1960s and 1970s, Valentini began creating wall-based and conceptual ceramic works, including his influential Trasparenza series, which explored surface, space, and the relationship between object and environment.
This exhibition highlights Valentini’s enduring impact on contemporary art and reaffirms the Everson’s long-standing role as a leader in advancing ceramics as a critical medium within the fine art canon.
“The Everson has a unique history of championing artists who push the boundaries of ceramics,” said Elizabeth Dunbar, Director & CEO of The Everson. “Bringing Valentini’s work back into focus not only honors that legacy but also invites new audiences to experience how ceramics can function as a conceptual and deeply expressive art form.”
The exhibition was overseen by Flaminio Gualdoni, an Italian art historian, known as the most acknowledged critic on Nanni Valentini’s work, co-curated by Garth Johnson (Ceramics Curator, Everson Museum of Art), with Luca Bochicchio (Scientific Director, Savona Ceramics Museum).
In 2027, Interspaces will migrate to Italy, to be shown at ceramics museums in Savona and Albisola, along with other major venues in the country.
An international book featuring catalog essays by contributors from the museums and institutions involved will also be published.
The Everson is supported by the General Operating Support program, a regrant program of the County of Onondaga with the support of County Executive, J. Ryan McMahon II, and the Onondaga County Legislature, administered by CNY Arts; and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Exhibition Details
Title: Nanni Valentini: Interspaces
Dates: May 2 – September 6, 2026
Location: Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, NY
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Nanni ValentiniIl passaggio dell'angelo, ...dove si racconta, 1983-84vitrified terracotta100 x 53 x 7 cm
39 3/8 x 20 7/8 x 2 3/4 in -
Nanni ValentiniImpronta-totem, 1979Terracotta vetrificata50 x 29 x 5 cm
19 3/4 x 11 3/8 x 2 in -
Nanni ValentiniVolto e luogo, 1978mixed media and field clod terracotta120 x 40 x 14 cm
47 1/4 x 15 3/4 x 5 1/2 in -
Nanni ValentiniPaesaggio d'acqua, 1978Signed and datedstonewareinstallation (4 el.)
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Nanni ValentiniTrasparenza (...e del cielo e della terra), 1979-80Signed and dated on verso ?pigmented gauze and terracotta300 x 130 x 60 cm
118 11/100 x 51 9/50 x 23 31/50 in -
Nanni ValentiniUna materia per Pitagora, 1979Vitrified terracotta35 x 80 cm
13 3/4 x 31 1/2 in -
Nanni ValentiniI segni della terra, 1981Signed and dated on versoVitrified terracotta27.5 x 27.5 x 8 cm
10 7/8 x 10 7/8 x 3 1/8 in -
Nanni ValentiniVaso graffito, 1958-59Terracotta greificata23 x 40 x 40 cm
9 x 15 3/4 x 15 3/4 in
Over the half-century span of its Ceramic National exhibitions, the Everson launched the career of countless American ceramists. In 1942 and 1958, the scope of the Ceramic Nationals became international, showcasing talents from both the Western hemisphere and Europe. On the advice of Italian artist Lucio Fontana, a brilliant ceramist in his own right, the 1958 Ceramic International introduced Nanni Valentini to the world. Valentini received a coveted purchase prize, and his work was exhibited on that year’s circuit, which included the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Detroit Institute of Arts.
By the time he exhibited at the Ceramic International, Valentini’s work had begun to move away from strict functionality. Although his studies were rooted in pottery traditions at the Istituto d’Arte per la Ceramica in Faenza, Valentini saw himself as a fine artist rather than craftsman. In the 1960s, he began creating conceptual wall-based ceramics that drew from exciting developments in Italian painting. By the 1970s, he produced a groundbreaking series of works called Trasparenza (Transparency), which further broke down the barriers between painting and sculptural object. Before his untimely death in 1985, Valentini established that ceramics were an inextricable part of the fine art canon.
In collaboration with the Nanni Valentini Archive, Fondazione Museo della Ceramica di Savona, and ABC-ARTE, Interspaces re-introduces Valentini’s groundbreaking work to American audiences.
Nanni Valentini: Interspaces was organized by Archivio Nanni Valentini, ABC-ARTE Genova / Milano, Fondazione Museo della Ceramica di Savona.
The Everson is supported by the General Operating Support program, a regrant program of the County of Onondaga with the support of County Executive, J. Ryan McMahon II, and the Onondaga County Legislature, administered by CNY Arts; and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
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Story Angles and Editorial Opportunities
Nanni Valentini: Interspaces offers a range of compelling narratives for media coverage, spanning art history, contemporary relevance, and the evolving perception of ceramics as a fine art medium.
A Historic Introduction Reconsidered
The Everson Museum of Art was instrumental in introducing Nanni Valentini to American audiences through its 1958 Ceramic International exhibition. Building upon the long-standing Ceramic National exhibitions, this international platform, developed with input from Italian artist Lucio Fontana, highlighted global ceramic innovation. Valentini received a prestigious purchase prize, and his work was subsequently exhibited at major institutions. The current exhibition revisits this pivotal moment, presenting a foundational figure to contemporary audiences.
From Craft to Conceptual Practice
Valentini’s artistic practice demonstrates a decisive shift from functional pottery to a conceptual fine art approach. Trained in traditional ceramics at the Istituto d’Arte per la Ceramica in Faenza, he moved beyond the perceived limitations of craft, positioning clay as a medium for artistic exploration and expression.
Transcending Disciplinary Boundaries
Beginning in the 1960s, Valentini created wall-based ceramic works influenced by developments in Italian painting. In the 1970s, his Trasparenza (Transparency) series further blurred distinctions between painting and sculpture. Using material, surface, and space, he created works that exist between object and image.
A Legacy of Transforming the Medium
Prior to his death in 1985, Valentini contributed significantly to the recognition of ceramics within the fine art canon. His work expanded the possibilities of clay beyond utilitarian function. Valentini’s influence has shaped subsequent generations of artists and continues to redefine contemporary understandings of the medium.
International Collaboration and Rare Access
Organized in collaboration with the Archivio Nanni Valentini, Fondazione Museo della Ceramica di Savona, and ABC-ARTE, Interspaces presents significant works that have rarely been exhibited in the United States. This exhibition represents an important instance of international partnership and cultural exchange.
The Everson’s Enduring Leadership in Ceramic Arts
Throughout the history of its Ceramic National exhibitions, the Everson has supported the careers of numerous artists and played a defining role in elevating ceramics within the broader art world. Interspaces continues this legacy, reinforcing the museum’s leadership in presenting work that challenges and expands the boundaries of the medium.
