Draft:Gaetano Minale

• Comment: fails WP:NARTIST. Theroadislong (talk) 19:44, 27 October 2024 (UTC)

• Comment: Using YouTube as a main source of information is not allowed. It is not a reliable source. The other sources are not independent. The article needs more reliable, independent sources to be accepted. UserMemer (chat) Tribs 21:23, 21 October 2024 (UTC)

• Comment: The subject has previously employed undisclosed paid editors and the article has been salted on it.wiki due to the disruption caused. This is almost certailny another attempt. It is probably time to SALT this draft as well. SmartSE (talk) 10:05, 18 September 2024 (UTC)

• Comment: "Career development": No source cited. "Artistic style and themes": One source cited: Minale himself.
  I didn't bother looking any further. -- Hoary (talk) 06:18, 18 September 2024 (UTC)

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Gaetano Minale

Gaetano Minale(born 1936, Atessa, Chieti, Italy) is an Italian artist known for his distinctive landscapes and depictions of nature. A graduate of the I.T.I. industrial school in Chieti, Minale worked as an electrician before transitioning to painting. His work, which spans multiple mediums including painting, graphics, and lithography, reflects his deep connection with the landscapes of his native Abruzzo region. Minale has exhibited internationally and received numerous accolades, including the Italian Oscar for Visual Arts (1977) and the Rotary Award for painting (2021).

Early life and education

Born in Agnone, Molise, Minale exhibited a talent for drawing from a young age. He pursued his formal education in Agnone, attending both the professional training school and technical school, before enrolling at the industrial school (I.T.I.) in Chieti. In 1960, he graduated as an electrotechnical expert and soon began a career with Unes, an electricity company. In 1962, at the age of 24, he was assigned to Chieti, and in 1963, he transferred to Atessa, where he would work for 35 years at Enel, eventually becoming Agency Head.

Despite the demands of his electrical career, Minale remained committed to his artistic pursuits. In 1969, he began studying under master painter and restorer Gennaro Bravo in Atessa, where he trained for six years. His artistic practice, initially challenging due to his professional obligations, eventually flourished, leading to both group and solo exhibitions starting in the 1970s. By 1975, he had exhibited extensively and continues to contribute to the local art community.

Career development

Minale transitioned from engineering to art, beginning his artistic journey under the mentorship of the master painter and restorer Gennaro Bravo. From 1968 to 1975, he attended Bravo's atelier in Atessa, where he studied various painting techniques including oil, pastel, and acrylic. Although largely self-taught, this formal training shaped his approach to art.

By the 1970s, Minale’s work gained international attention. In 1977, he was awarded the Italian Oscar for Visual Arts, recognizing his achievements in painting.

Gaetano Minale's Italian Oscar for Visual Arts, 1977

The award further solidified his standing within the art community, where his affiliations with notable academies such as the 'I 500' Academy and the Tiberina Academy of Rome became key elements of his career.

In October 2021, Minale was honored with the Rotary Award for "The color and expressive power of his painting of the last 50 years." This recognition highlights his continued impact on the art world, spanning over five decades.

Artistic style and themes

In October 2011, Minale underwent a tracheotomy and total laryngectomy, resulting in a total loss of voice. This significant health challenge impacted his artistic and exhibition activities, leading to a transformation in his painting style. Since then, his new works reflect a profound shift in emotion towards nature and the joy of living, with light and color dominating his compositions. Women became the true protagonists of his paintings, depicted in symbiosis with nature, set against expansive landscapes filled with poppies and sunflowers.

Exhibitions and achievements

Minale's art has been featured in numerous international exhibitions. Significant displays include his early show at Gelmi Art Gallery in Sesto San Giovanni (1975), and later exhibitions at venues such as the Royal Palace in Milan (1984), Chou-Ku Gallery in Tokyo (1985), and the Chamber of Commerce in Chieti (1990). His work has also been exhibited in Paris, Istanbul, Budapest, and London.

Minale has received several awards, including the 'Federico Faruffini' Award in 1976 and the Byzantine Grand Prix in Istanbul in 1996. In October 2021, he was awarded the Rotary Award for his painting work, recognizing "The color and expressive power of his painting of the last 50 years."

In a gesture to his local community, he donated 105 pieces to the city of Atessa, documenting the regional landscape over several decades.

On 16 May 2017, the city of Atessa paid tribute to Minale's career with the event "A Life for Art."

The Gaetano Minale Casa Museo Collection, located in Atessa, Chieti, is a museum dedicated to his life and works. The museum is housed in Minale's home and contains a collection of paintings, drawings, and personal items created during his artistic career. This museum offers visitors a deep connection to his creative legacy and the progression of his work over the years.

Museum and art gallery

The Gaetano Minale Casa Museo Collection, located in Atessa, Chieti, is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the life and works of Gaetano Minale. The museum houses an extensive collection of paintings, drawings, and personal items created throughout his artistic career. This permanent exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to explore Minale’s artistic journey and the evolution of his work, which reflects the cultural and natural beauty of the Abruzzo region. The museum also features special exhibits and educational programs aimed at celebrating the legacy of Minale's contributions to the art world.