"LITTLE TREASURES" Exhibit at Galleria De Marchi in Bologna

Sometimes little things are overlooked because they are small and barely noticeable. But it shouldn't be because it's often in small things that we could see the uniqueness and rare beauty. Just like the exhibit, I visited last May 31, 2022, entitled “ Little Treasures”, held at Galleria d'Arte De Marchi located via Porta Nova 1/D in Bologna. The exhibit is the official re-starting of the activity of the Trevisan International Arts. It was the year 2003 when this art organization was created with the objective of bringing together artists from around the world. And so this time, Paola Trevisan, the head of this organization and the curator, made sure that a new collection of artworks was exhibited by about 80 artists (from 30 countries). As modalities of expression, there were beautiful paintings and drawings, sculptures, and photographs, all of which were of small sizes as the title of the exhibit connotes, Little Treasures. The exhibit ran from May 28 until June 8, 2022.

As a backgrounder, the Little Treasures exhibit started in 2008 and since then, it has continued to promote small works of art by international artists from Europe and other parts of the world.

They almost always hold the exhibition at the Galleria de Marchi in Bologna which is the favorite gallery of art groups and curators because of the warm welcome they receive from the Galleria team of Alessio Boschi and Silvana Pelle. Artists and guests feel at home wherever there is an exhibit at the Galleria.

During the inauguration, Paola Trevisan conferred the Merit Award to all artist exhibitors because of their creativity and almost always their presence in all the exhibits of Trevisan. Some of the artists who were given the Trevisan International Art Excellence award were: Pim Benus, Petra Bernstein, Sia Braakman, Ulla Haga, Dana Ingesson, Stefanie Kamrath, Carole Jury, Mark James Minty, and Shihoko Moritani.

One painting I liked the most is from the Lithuanian painter, Rasa Dzimidaviciute Olesen. Her miniature paintings are part of her miniseries of paintings “Angels and Demons of Mine”, in which she depicts the balance of the good and bad side of a human being. This one particular painting entitled “Temptation, Angels and Demons of Mine”, measures 20 x 20 cm, oil on linen, and shows an elderly woman with an angel and a demon on each side of her shoulders. The angel eats a carrot and other fruits and vegetables are waiting to be eaten while the demon on the other side is devouring candies and other sweets. This painting shows the painter’s idea of resistance or acceptance of the food we eat. Even on a very small canvas, the painter delivered her witty messages coupled with details done with the accuracy of her brush strokes.

ART is a great expression of what an artist thinks about. Every stroke, every detail, and every color has its meaning, and it is up to the onlookers how they will interpret them according to their own feelings and perception. But the true meaning and essence remain with the artist himself.

We will be looking forward to the next event of the Trevisan International Arts and this “Little Treasures” exhibit will always remain my favorite because it does not only promote miniature arts but also the cultural aspect of every country the artists represent. And it is the very essence of a beautiful and meaningful exchange of art and culture between artists, countries, and art patrons.

To see Trevisan International Arts' Instagram profile click HERE