CUSI PATAGONIA

Born in Milan in 1966, Gianluca Pacchioni discovered his life passion for art and metalsmithing when he moved to Paris in the nineties. There, he experimented and learned the techniques of sculpting, forging, and casting metals in a shared artists studio at the Quai de la Gare. His experiments resulted in his first collection of iron sculptures and furniture, exhibited at the Vivendi Gallery, Place des Vosges.

The artist then returned to his native Milan, opening his own studio in an eyedrops factory from the 1930s, working in tandem with Italian master craftsmen with whom he learned and honed his expertise. Pacchioni never ceases to explore new techniques and new materials. Today his work has matured into a virtuous fusion of brass, bronze, iron, stones layered with different patinas, and poured liquid metals.

In 2014, the Italian Embassy in Paris selected Pacchioni's work to embody Italy's ongoing heritage of master craftsmanship and art, with a permanent installation of his work in the Embassy's entrance hall. Subsequently, the Fondazione Cologni bestowed the title of 2016 Master of Arts & Crafts to the artist. Pacchioni says of his own work: "I abuse the metals, but then I end up caressing them... my aim is to find a form which blends imperfection with finesse."