Italian Postcard: A Decade of Artistic Collaboration Between Villa Lena Foundation and Il Bisonte Studio

Florence, Italy – September 2024 – In celebration of a decade of creative collaboration, Villa Lena Foundation and Fondazione Il Bisonte are proud to present Italian Postcard, an exhibition that highlights the artistic achievements of thirty resident artists who have participated in this unique partnership. The exhibition will be held from September 12 to October 4, 2024, at Il Bisonte’s gallery located at Via San Niccolò 24r, Florence.

A Vision of Creative Exchange at Villa Lena Foundation

Founded in 2013 by curator and collector Lena Evstafieva, Villa Lena Foundation was envisioned as a sanctuary for artistic and cultural exchange, set against the backdrop of Tuscany’s picturesque landscape. Located near the culturally significant cities of Florence, Pisa, and Lucca, the Foundation provides a tranquil yet stimulating environment for artists from around the world to explore new ideas, collaborate with others, and immerse themselves in their creative work.

Evstafieva’s vision for the Foundation was clear: to create a space where diversity could thrive and foster unique creative collaborations—a true melting pot of ideas and cultures. “The idea was to create a place where artists from different continents and countries could integrate their traditions, aesthetics, and histories,” she explains. “Collaborating with Il Bisonte Studio seemed like a natural development in our journey. What could be more authentic to our vision than pairing contemporary thinkers and artists with a studio that has been a hub of printmaking for nearly a century?”

Il Bisonte Studio: A Legacy of Printmaking Excellence

Il Bisonte Studio, founded in 1959 in Florence’s historic San Niccolò district, has a storied history as one of Italy’s premier printmaking institutions. It was one of the first places in Italy to produce artistic lithographs in a structured manner, working with some of the most distinguished artists of the 20th century, including Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, and Alexander Calder. Since 1982, Il Bisonte has also operated as an International School of Specialization for Printmaking, offering courses and residencies that attract artists from around the globe.

Under the leadership of Simone Guaita, Il Bisonte continues to honour its legacy while embracing new artistic innovations. “Il Bisonte has always been a place where art graphics are conceived, studied, exhibited, and archived,” says Guaita. “Our collaboration with Villa Lena has been a journey of discovery and creativity, bringing together artists from all over the world to create something truly special.”

A Decade of Creative Collaboration

The collaboration between Villa Lena Foundation and Il Bisonte Studio has resulted in a rich collection of limited-edition prints that capture the diverse creative approaches of the artists involved. Over the past decade, thirty artists have participated in this exchange, experimenting with a wide range of printmaking techniques—soft grounds, etchings, spit bites, sugar lifts, and rolled colour, among others.

Among the notable artists featured in the exhibition are Moataz Nasr, Kon Trubkovich, Lola Montes Schnabel, and Jay One Ramier, each bringing their own unique perspective to the medium of printmaking. The prints produced through this collaboration are not only a testament to the technical mastery of the artists but also to the spirit of experimentation and collaboration fostered by Villa Lena and Il Bisonte.

“Each limited-edition print is a snapshot of the Villa Lena Foundation’s first ten years—diverse, experimental, and collaborative,” says Evstafieva. “It has been a true privilege to witness so many wonderful collaborations over the last decade.”

Exhibition Opening and Catalogue

The Italian Postcard exhibition will open with a vernissage on September 12 at 18:30 at Il Bisonte’s gallery in Via San Niccolò 24r, Florence. The event will be the first opportunity for the public to view the complete collection of limited editions produced through this collaboration between Villa Lena and Il Bisonte.

Accompanying the exhibition is a curated catalogue that documents the collaboration between the two institutions over the past decade. The catalogue features essays by former resident artists and writers, offering insights into the creative process and the impact of the residency experience. Notably, Lauren Ellis Matthews, a resident at Villa Lena in 2016, provides a poetic testimony to the Foundation’s mission of creative exchange, while Simone Guaita contributes an essay detailing the rich history of Il Bisonte and the significance of this artistic partnership.

Looking Ahead

As Villa Lena Foundation and Il Bisonte Studio celebrate this milestone, both institutions look forward to continuing their collaboration, exploring new avenues of artistic expression, and welcoming more artists into their creative fold. The partnership has proven to be a fertile ground for artistic innovation, and the institutions are excited to see how this collaboration will evolve in the years to come.

For more information about the limited-edition prints, the collaboration, or to schedule an interview with representatives from Villa Lena Foundation or Il Bisonte Studio, please contact:

Villa Lena Foundation: admin@villa-lena.org
Il Bisonte Foundation: gallery@ilbisonte.it

Full list of artists

Butternutten AG 

Todd Anderson 

Sylvie Auvray

Benjamin Brett 

Beatrice Boyle 

Jasmin Blasco 

Matheus Chiaratti

Adeline de Monseignat 

Bobby Dowler 

Lionel Esteve 

Craig Fisher

Christopher Green 

Kate Groobey 

Iain Hales 

David Hanes 

Celia Hempton

Evy Jokhova 

Lauren Ellis Matthews 

Shaun McDowell 

Steffen Mumm 

Moataz Nasr 

Nika Neelova 

Ima-Abasi Okon

Jay-One Ramier 

Alan Reid 

Lola Montes Schnabel 

Jordan Sullivan 

Maria Thurn und Taxis 

Kon Trubkovich 

Hugo Wilson