This fall, Magazzino Italian Art will present the exhibition Maria Lai. A Journey to America, the first retrospective in the United States dedicated to a key figure in 20th-century Italian art, whose eclectic and visionary work bridged the traditions of her native Sardinia, the sensibilities and methods of Arte Povera, and the influence of American culture on the international art scene.
On view from November 15, 2024, to July 28, 2025, the exhibition will feature approximately 100 works by Maria Lai (Sardinia, Ulassai 1919–Cardedu 2013), including numerous works that will be presented to the public for the first time. Most of the pieces on display have never been exhibited in the United States. This exhibition offers a comprehensive overview of Maria Lai’s work, from her beginnings in the 1950s to the 2000s, with a focus on her innovative approaches to collective and relational art.
The exhibition, curated by Magazzino Italian Art Artistic Director Paola Mura, presents a significant body of work from Magazzino’s collection and from private American collections and Italian institutions, including Fondazione Maria Lai, Fondazione di Sardegna, MAN - Museo d’Arte della Provincia di Nuoro, Museo di Aggius, Musei Civici di Cagliari, MUSMA – Museo della Scultura Contemporanea Matera, the Sardinian Regional Council, the Autonomous Region of Sardinia and the contribution of Ilisso Edizioni.
Maria Lai’s artistic journey spans a century of conflicts and contradictions, which the artist faced with a determination to make her mark in a predominantly male world. Throughout her career, she sought and found her own independent dimension, often at the cost of isolation and a sense of otherness. The exhibition highlights her innovative journey, beginning in Sardinia, where she was born and to where she returned later in her career.
This journey encompasses America, which Lai visited in 1968: a central focus of the exhibition will be the paintings that signify Maria Lai’s transition to abstract art—works the artist carried with her during the travels between Montreal and New York, hoping—though it never materialized—to present them to the American public. These pieces, currently held in Canada and the United States and never before exhibited, are displayed in close dialogue with an important collection of 1950s paintings. Among them is Gregge di pecore, created in 1959, a striking work measuring 3 meters by 1.2 meters, held by the Regional Council of Sardinia and never shown elsewhere.
Paola Mura, Artistic Director of Magazzino and the curator of the exhibition, said: “Maria Lai. A Journey to America explores Lai’s creative and personal journey, with Sardinia as her anchor point and as an inexhaustible source of inspiration. From these deep roots, Lai expanded her artistic exploration, intertwining Sardinian traditions with the principles of Arte Povera. In this process, she engaged with the cultural and social debates of her time, embracing the influences of American artists and writers she admired. These unique combinations make Lai an extraordinarily relevant artist in today’s world, where the fusion of historical traditions, different philosophies, and contrasting images is an integral part of our daily lives. I am deeply proud to present the first U.S. retrospective of her work at Magazzino Italian Art, where the museum’s exceptional Arte Povera collection will provide the ideal context to highlight Maria Lai’s unique contribution.”
Adam Sheffer, Director of Magazzino, said: “Just as Maria Lai bridged places and cultures in her art, and in her most celebrated initiative literally tied a village together to unite its people, Magazzino creates a singular place where visitors may encounter the greatest art from post-war Italy. We are exceptionally proud to be able to provide our audience with a broader experience of contemporary Italian art by offering the first North American career retrospective of this remarkable artist."
Magazzino founders Nancy Olnick and Giorgio Spanu, said: “When we first encountered Maria Lai’s work decades ago, we quickly understood its significance for the development of Arte Povera. Yet her role is still under-recognized. Unmatched among her peers in pursuing a singular vision, Lai carried on her craft with ingenuity and determination. We are honored to present her work to the American public.”
