Learn to interpret the undiplomatic art and digital prints by Max Papeschi.
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Papeschi was originally an author and director working for the TV and Cinema industry and decided to ride the art wave in 2008, with digital prints. The artist known for the hyperbolic politically incorrect artworks became very popular abroad thanks to a building-size billboard in the city of Poznan, Poland. Known as one of the most famous Italian artists overseas, he managed to carry out more than sixty solo exhibitions and one hundred group exhibitions throughout 10 years of his presence in the art industry.
One of the milestones of his career was the partnership with Amnesty International in 2016, when he presented the cultural-humanitarian project called “Welcome to North Korea” in Milan; a combination of digital art, multimedia performances and installations in a factious and parodic fashion propaganda whose world tour followed. North Korea has one of the strictest and censored regimes worldwide. All information that comes into contact with the country is controlled by government officers. Thus, the show is meant to display the substandard living conditions under a dictatorship. His works also portray Trump’s administration, as he aims to illustrate the contrast between two leaders and their devices of control (e.g. propaganda, press, …). Rajiy Narajan, from Amnesty International said that “North Korea has millions of people live in concentration camps in the most unhuman conditions, outside of the rest of the world’s knowledge and private to any kind of human right defence and protection.” As a matter of fact, the goal was to raise awareness by giving a playful dimension to the watchers, in contrast to the horrible events that occur.
Max Papeschi’s last show took place in 2020 in Rome, where he promoted digital prints and sculptures to stand by history’s political and religious injustices; such as World War II. Papeschi makes fun of political figures by making them chew bubblegum, and replace their bodies or heads with Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse. He also uses mass consumerism as one of the main subjects for his artworks. In the last decade, the artist exposed himself a lot it paid off as he had a great success.
