Monza, 1921 – Bresso, 1972

Roberto Gaetano Crippa was born in Monza in 1921. After graduating in 1947, the same year he exhibits at the Bergamini Gallery in Milan with his first solo exhibition, and already the following year he participates in the Milan Triennale and in the Venice Biennale.

The first works in the figurative style still appear to be influenced by the post-Cubist post-war manner. Crippa’s attendance to contemporary art manifestations follow one another intensely, so that from 1948 to 1960 he exhibits in four Triennials of Milan and in 1960 he wins the XIII edition and he will be invited to six editions of the Venice Biennale.

From the beginning of his career, also thanks to a stay in New York, Crippa has a chance to become known overseas. He exhibits annually at Alexader Jolas gallery, where he meets Brauer, Ernst, Lam and Matta. In 1951 Crippa signs the third manifesto of Spatialism by Lucio Fontana. Thus the cycle called ‘Spirals’ was born. The works of this period are characterised by the sign gesture: ellipses and spirals that release energy.

This is followed from 1956 by the period defined by him of Collages and the one called Metaphysics of materials. Since the mid-1950s, the artist creates his famous Totem, hominids with fantastic primordial shapes.

The urge to experiment and find new and very personal forms of expression is a constant feature of Roberto Crippa. Pilot of the aviation and enthusiast aerobatics, he is an exuberant artist and curious about the world, never tired of and new emotions and experiences.

© CRIPPA ROBERTO CRIPPA, by SIAE