Remembering Giuliano Gori

It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Giuliano Gori (1930–2024), a dear friend, an entrepreneur and a remarkable collector, patron, and visionary founder of the Fattoria di Celle, a park for artworks specifically conceived to be environmental and site-specific, nestled in the picturesque Tuscan hills in the province of Pistoia.

Hailing from the city of Prato, Giuliano Gori was a textile entrepreneur who began collecting art in 1950s. Throughout his life, Gori contributed to major public art initiatives, beginning with the role of President of the Committee for the establishment of a Center for Contemporary Art in his hometown, Prato, and later becoming the Founding member of the Centro per l’arte contemporanea Luigi Pecci in Prato in 1988.

Gori’s collection found a permanent home in the 1970s, when he relocated it from a historic building in Prato to a villa nestled within a 112-acre park in Santomato di Celle, near Pistoia. Thanks to the exceptional vision of Giuliano Gori, the Fattoria di Celle became the first Italian park of environmental and site-specific arworks. In 1982, Fattoria di Celle opened to the public, showcasing works of renowned national and international contemporary artists.

Giuliano Gori's profound influence extended beyond the borders of Italy, serving as inspiration to Magazzino Italian Art Museum Co-founders, Nancy Olnick and Giorgio Spanu. Giuliano also played an instrumental role in inspiring The Olnick Spanu Art Program.

Nancy and Giorgio and the team at Magazzino Italian Art Museum extend our heartfelt and deepest condolences to his loved ones. His departure leaves an irreplaceable void in our life and the art world, yet his creativity and vision will continue to inspire future generations.