BIO
Bato was born in 1977 in Rome, where he currently lives and works.
He lived in the Trieste district until he was 9. There he met Prof. Ferruccio Ulivi, a well-known and distinguished Italian literary critic, who considerably inspired Bato’s love for art.
In fact, in Prof. Ulivi’s studio, Bato made his first drawings, surrounded by an imposing collection of books and paintings by some of the most important Italian artists of the 20th century, including Mario Mafai, Scipione, Renato Guttuso and Giorgio De Chirico.
While attending the Liceo Artistico Alberto Savinio in Rome, he was lucky enough to have sculptor Alfiero Nena as his teacher, who welcomed him in his workshop and introduced him to the techniques of sculpting iron.
After high school, he enrolled in the humanities program at the University of Roma Tre. Together with other young artists, he created the painters group Calaveras, with whom he organized numerous exhibitions in the Rome area, including Il Bestiario Umano [The Human Bestiary].
In 2001 Bato participated in a large collective show, The Beatles: La Giovinezza. La Follia, by the Antinoo International Center for Art, at the Scuderie Aldobrandini in Frascati.
Between 2002 and 2005 Bato took several trips to Europe and South America, portraying places and people he met in the various cities that hosted him. These experiences led him, in 2006, to start making portraits in real time of the many jazz musicians that performed at the Smoker’S Hot Club.
In 2008 Bato obtained a degree in literature and philosophy. In the same year, his artistic production and the exhibitions resumed at full speed.
In February 2009, he began collaborating with the Special Superintendency of the City of Rome, until December 2010. During that period, in addition to receiving official praise from the Superintendency, he worked as an art historian in organizing and producing various exhibitions, including Il Potere e la Grazia, and Caravaggio e La bottega del genio, both at Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Venezia.
In that period he also partook in the group show Le Luci Italiane di Marguerite Yourcenar, curated by the Antinoo International Center for Art, at Villa Adriana in Tivoli. In 2011 he won first prize in the painting section at the Second National Exhibition of Contemporary Arts, held at the Orsini Castle of Soriano nel Cimino.
In November of the same year, this period of intense activity took him to Palazzo Valentini (Rome), with an exhibition dedicated to the Italian Risorgimento, Geography of the Risorgimento, curated by Claudio Cremonesi.
Between 2012 and 2015 Bato started collaborating with the theater world, creating set designs for numerous shows. Among the most important collaborations was one with Filippo Bartolini for the design of concert sets for Angelo Debarre, Rossomalpelo and Giorgio Tirabassi, and with Emiliano Pellisari’s dance company, for which he made animated sets that the dancers could interact with.
In 2016 he encountered RvB Arts gallery, where he’s been part of group exhibitions and had personal shows, all curated by gallerist Michel Von Buren, with whom he continues to collaborate to this day.
EXHIBITIONS
2025 ANIMAL HOUSE, group exhibition at the Von Buren Contemporary gallery in Rome. Bato exhibits with Andrea Barzini, Giuseppe Gallace, Gianlorenzo Gasperini, Maiti, Moreno Pette, Irene Rossetti, Beppe Stasi and Luca Zarattini.
2023 RELAZIONESIMO, video installation with Duccio Forzano.
2022 MIRABILIA, solo exhibition at the Von Buren Contemporary gallery in Rome, curated by Michele Von Buren.
2022 MASK, Prolegomeni alla Tauromachia, performance and exhibition of sculptures by Bato and photographs by Emiliano Pellisari at NoGravity Studio in Rome, curated by Bato, Mariana/p, Emiliano Pellisari and Michele Von Buren.
2021 FELLINI DREAM, Concept Artist for Emiliano Pellisari’s theatre show.
2019 FELLINI DREAM, performance by Bato and Emiliano Pellisari at MACRO – Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome, curated by Bato and Emiliano Pellisari.
2019 GIUNGLA, solo exhibition of painting and sculpture at the Museo Tonino Guerra, Santarcangelo di Romagna, curated by Michele Von Buren and the Museo Tonino Guerra.
2019 SPLASH – un tuffo nell’eros, group exhibition at the Scuderie di Palazzo Chigi Albani in Soriano nel Cimino (VT), curated by Giorgio di Genova. Bato’s works are shown alongside works by artists such as Ugo Attardi, Pablo Picasso and Mino Maccari.
2018 MYTHS AND LEGENDS, group exhibition at Michele Von Buren’s RvB Arts. Bato exhibits with Justin Bradshaw, Lorenzo Bruschini, Lucianella Cafagna, Alessio Deli, Mihail Dinisiuc, Fantini, Gianlorenzo Gasperini, Giuliano Macca, Octavia Monaco, Vera Rossi, Alessandro Sicioldr.
2018 MANI, group exhibition at Michele Von Buren’s RvB Arts. Bato exhibits with Leonardo Blanco, Lorenzo Bruschini, Lucianella Cafagna, Chiara Caselli, Alessio Deli, Fantini, Andrea Gallo, Gianlorenzo Gasperini, Vittorio Iavazzo, Arianna Matta, Claire Piredda, Nicola Pucci, Massimo Pulini, Vera Rossi, Alessandro Sicioldr, Luca Zarattini
2018 JUNGLE, solo exhibition at Michele Von Buren’s RvB Arts
2017 GEOMETRIE D’AUTORE, solo exhibition at Baxter Garage, Rome.
2016 DIFFERENT VIEWS, two-person exhibition at Michele Von Buren’s RvB Arts gallery.
2016 LUXURY HOTEL, group exhibition at Piazzadispagna9. Bato exhibits with Leonardo Blanco, Lorenzo Bruschini, Lucianella Cafagna, Roberto Fantini, Sergio Fiorentino, Gianlorenzo Gasperini and Arianna Matta.
2013 B L A C, Bato Live Art Connection: a live-painting theatre show, funded through online crowdfunding, at Teatro Trastevere, Rome
2013 Live painting performance at the Djanngo Reinhardt Tribute, with the Moreno Viglione Gipsy Jazz quartet (Rome, Lanificio 159);
2012 Live painting performance within Pietro Zucca’s exhibition Senza fissa dimora: il dualismo del vuoto (Rome, TRAleVOLTE);
2012 Solo exhibition Bato, Smoker’S Hot Club, curated by Bato, Alessandra Lenzi and Danilo Pette (Rome, Cotton Club);
2012 Solo exhibition Bato, Smoker’S Hot Club, curated by Bato, Alessandra Lenzi and Danilo Pette (Artena, Antica Stazione di Posta);
2011 Solo exhibition Geografia del Risorgimento, curated by Claudio Cremonesi (Rome, Palazzo Valentini);
2011 Group exhibition Street in Gallery, curated by Sara Pessato (Rome, degli Zingari Gallery);
2011 Solo exhibition Geografia del Risorgimento, curated by Claudio Cremonesi as part of the furniture and design fair Moa Casa (Rome, Nuova Fiera di Roma);
2011 Group exhibition, Aeronautica Caproni, curated by Laura Monachesi (Rome, Temple University);
2011 Group exhibition, Second National Exhibition of Contemporary Arts, “Cent(r)o” Prize, curated by Paolo Berti (Viterbo, Castello Orsini, Soriano nel Cimino);
2010 Group exhibition Le Luci Italiane di Marguerite Yourcenar, curated by Laura Monachesi of the Centro Internazionale Antinoo per l’Arte (Tivoli, Villa Adriana);
2010 Solo exhibition Ombra tremula, curated by Claudio Cremonesi (Rome, Galleria Diffusione Cultura);
2010 Group exhibition Le Luci Italiane di Marguerite Yourcenar, curated by Laura Monachesi of the Centro Internazionale Antinoo per l’Arte (Viterbo, Palazzo Manni, Orte);
2010 Solo exhibition, Bato torna a Bomarzo, as part of the event “Tuscia Deliziosa” (Viterbo, Palazzo Orsini, Bomarzo);
2010 Group exhibition, First National Exhibition of Contemporary Arts, “Cent(r)o” Prize: wins first prize. Jury: Citto Maselli, Enrico Manera, Franco Bevilacqua, Enzo G. Castellari and Giuseppe Di Nunzio, with artistic direction by Paolo Berti (Viterbo, Castello Orsini, Soriano nel Cimino);
2009 Group exhibition Pensieri d’invisibile armonia, curated by Dr Antonio D’Amico (Isola d’Elba, Park Hotel Napoleone – S. Martino di Portoferraio);
2009 Group exhibition Poesie di una notte, curated by Paolo Berti (Rome, Galleria d’Arte italiana); 2009 Group exhibition Takeaway, curated by Stefano Esposito (Rome, Takeway Gallery);
2008 Solo exhibition Scherzi esoterici, curated by Michele Gerco (Viterbo, Museo Donatella Valori, Bomarzo);
2008 Solo exhibition Passaggi della Memoria, curated by Salvatore Patera (Rome, Jocanda Art); 2008 Solo exhibition Ipotesi X OR 4, curated by Giovanni Lauricella (Rome, Webgallery);
2008 Solo exhibition Ombra Tremula ed il collasso delle superfici non piane, curated by Bato (Castello Orsini, Soriano nel Cimino – VT);
2008 Solo exhibition EcoL’Caffè, curated by Alessandra Lenzi (Rome, La Casa del Parco);
2004 Solo exhibition Figure + Paesaggi, curated by Bato (Rome, Ex Magazzini Generali);
2003 Group exhibition House Keepers, curated by Bato (Rome, Ex Magazzini Generali);
2002 Group exhibition Bestiario Umano III, curated by the painters’ group CALAVERAS (Rome, Università degli Studi Roma Tre);
2002 Group exhibition Bestiario Umano II, curated by the painters’ group CALAVERAS (Rome, Università degli Studi Roma Tre);
2001 Solo exhibition METRO, curated by the painters’ group CALAVERAS (Rome, Circolo degli Artisti); 2001 Group exhibition Proposte II, curated by the Centro Internazionale Antinoo per l’Arte (Frascati, Scuderie Aldobrandini);
2000 Group exhibition Bestiario Umano I, curated by the painters’ group CALAVERAS (Rome, Università degli Studi Roma Tre);
2000 Group exhibition Calaveras, curated by the painters’ group CALAVERAS (Rome, Circolo degli Artisti);
1999 28th National Competition, E. I. P. Fidia Prize for Human Rights;
1998 Collaborates on the apse mosaic of the Church of San Luca (Rome, Piazza Roberto Malatesta).
COLLABORATIONS
Period 2013 – 2015
TRILOGIA Divina Commedia, works with Emiliano Pellisari creating stage machinery and sets for the world tour of the NoGravity dance company.
COMIX works with Emiliano Pellisari creating installations, stage machinery, projected video animations, Black Art, “black light” and shadow play for the world tour of the NoGravity dance company.
Period 2013
ALBERTO IL GRANDE, works with Fish Eye Digital Video Creation, creating the illustrations for the documentary filmed by Carlo and Luca Verdone;
FUMETTOLOGY, i miti del fumetto italiano, works with Fish Eye Digital Video Creation as graphics assistant for the TV programme broadcast every Thursday on Rai 5 from 20 December 2012;
Works with Filippo Bartolini on the set design for the concerts of Angelo Debarre, Rossomalpelo and Giorgio Tirabassi (Rome, Teatro San Luca);
Ricettario di un’ imprecaria, set designer for the theatre show (Rome, Teatro Trastevere / 8–10 February 2013);
Period 2012
Ricettario di un’ imprecaria, set designer for the show (Rome, Teatro Studio Uno / 14–17 October 2012);
Gianluca Bagiani. La caduta dell’Idea, designs and lays out the catalogue published by Palladino Editore in October 2012. Designs and lays out the advertising banners, contributing to the production of the exhibition held at Palazzo Casa delle Arti “Fabrizio De André” in Soriano nel Cimino (VT), from 6 October 2012 to 21 October 2011;
III ESPOSIZIONE NAZIONALE ARTI CONTEMPORANEE, creates the image used for the art events organised by the Associazione Culturale Premio Centro from July 2012 to December 2012.
Period 2011/ 2012
OVO Italia s.r.l., creates the illustrations for the Duoclips: – Canada 2011: un gran premio da record;
– Fernando Alonso (Theme: Sportsmen);
– Sebastian Vettel (Theme: Sportsmen);
– Lewis Hamilton (Theme: Sportsmen).
Period April 2010 / February 2009
Special Superintendency for the Historical, Artistic and Ethno-anthropological Heritage and for the Museum Network of the City of Rome. The work involved:
– publications related to the catalogues of the exhibitions held at the various museums of the Superintendency, as well as at the Museo Nazionale del Palazzo di Venezia;
– relations with public and private bodies for the organisation and transfer of artworks;
– condition reports for artworks arriving from museums around the world for their exhibition;
– compiling OA catalogue records (Catalogue level) for the churches of: Sant’Antonio Abate, Ferentino (FR); Santa Maria degli Angeli, Ferentino (FR); San Giovanni Battista e San Giovanni Evangelista, Casalvieri (FR);
– specialist assignment for studies and research on the Caravaggesque repertory, the monograph and exhibition “Bartolomeo Cavarozzi” and the Carracci followers in Lazio;
Caravaggio. La bottega del genio, works with the Administrative Directorate and the Exhibitions Office of the Special Superintendency for the Historical, Artistic and Ethno-anthropological Heritage and for the Museum Network of the City of Rome, assisting with the organisation, promotion and contracts of the exhibition held in Rome at the Museo Nazionale del Palazzo di Venezia from 22 December 2010 to 29 May 2011;
Anzio e i suoi Fasti. Il tempo tra mito e realtà, contributes to the production of the catalogue and of the exhibition held at the Museo Civico Archeologico di Anzio from 15 July to 15 December 2010;
La forma del Rinascimento. Donatello, Andrea Bregno, Michelangelo e la scultura a Roma nel Quattrocento, works with the Special Superintendency for the Historical, Artistic and Ethno-anthropological Heritage and for the Museum Network of the City of Rome. Works on the production of the exhibition held in Rome at Palazzo di Venezia from 16 June to 5 September 2010;
I colori del Buio. Caravaggeschi nel Patrimonio del Fondo Edifici di Culto, works with the Promotion and Exhibitions Office of the Special Superintendency for the Historical, Artistic and Ethno-anthropological Heritage and for the Museum Network of the City of Rome, carrying out iconographic research and contributing to the catalogue and to the production of the exhibition held in Rome at Palazzo Ruspoli from 15 April to 18 July 2010.
Caravaggio, The Mysteryof the Two Saint Francis, works with the Promotion and Exhibitions Service of the Special Superintendency for the Historical, Artistic and Ethno-anthropological Heritage and for the Museum Network of the City of Rome. Works on the catalogue published in 2009 and on the production of the exhibition held at the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm from 20 January to 14 March 2010 and at the Sinebrychoff Art Museum in Helsinki from 26 March to 9 May 2010;
Biennale internazionale di Antiquariato di Roma, 7th edition, works with the Promotion and Exhibitions Service of the Special Superintendency for the Historical, Artistic and Ethno-anthropological Heritage and for the Museum Network of the City of Rome. Works on the catalogue published in October 2010 and on the production of the exhibition held in Rome at Palazzo di Venezia from 1 to 10 October 2010;
I doppi di Caravaggio: il mistero svelato dei due San Francesco in Meditazione, works with the Promotion and Exhibitions Service of the Special Superintendency for the Historical, Artistic and Ethno-anthropological Heritage and for the Museum Network of the City of Rome. Works on the catalogue published in September 2010 and on the production of the exhibition held at Palazzo Aldobrandini in Carpineto Romano (Rome) from 5 to 15 September 2010;
Antonio Tamburro, Il senso del tempo, opere dal 1980 al 2009, works with the Secretariat of the Special Superintendency for the Historical, Artistic and Ethno-anthropological Heritage and for the Museum Network of the City of Rome. Works on the exhibition catalogue, published in December 2009, and on the production of the exhibition held in Rome at Palazzo di Venezia from 10 December 2009 to 13 January 2010;
Il Potere e la Grazia, I Santi Patroni d’Europa, works as technical consultant for the Special Superintendency for the Historical, Artistic and Ethno-anthropological Heritage and for the Museum Network of the City of Rome. Works on the production of the exhibition held in Rome at the Museo Nazionale del Palazzo di Venezia from 8 October 2009 to 31 January 2010.
I repertori dell’arte del Lazio, works with the Publications Office of the Superintendency for the Historical, Artistic and Ethno-anthropological Heritage of Lazio. Works on the publications of the Project for the Promotion and Enjoyment of the Historical and Artistic Heritage of Lazio;
Museo Diffuso Lazio, works with the Publications Office of the Superintendency for the Historical, Artistic and Ethno-anthropological Heritage of Lazio. Works on the production of the Project for the Promotion and Enjoyment of the Historical and Artistic Heritage of Lazio;
Le Polene i volti del Mare, works on the catalogue published in July 2009 in Rome and on the exhibition held in Civitavecchia at Forte Michelangelo from 28 July to 18 August 2009, carrying out iconographic research and working with the organising secretariat;
Honthorst e il Cristo deriso della chiesa dell’Immacolata Concezione a Roma, Restauri series, no. 6, 2009, works with the Publications Office of the Superintendency for the Historical, Artistic and Ethno-anthropological Heritage of Lazio;
L’andata al Calvario di Formia, Restauri series, no. 5, 2009, works with the Publications Office of the Superintendency for the Historical, Artistic and Ethno-anthropological Heritage of Lazio;
Il San Rocco di Gaeta, Recupero Conservazione Storia, works with the Publications Office of the Superintendency for the Historical, Artistic and Ethno-anthropological Heritage of Lazio.