Davide Balliano

Davide Balliano's research operates on the thin line of demarcation between painting and sculpture. Utilizing an austere, minimal language of abstract geometries in strong dialogue with the architectural landscape of his native Turin, his work investigates existential themes such as the identity of man in the age of technology and his relationship with the sublime. Through a practice that is self-described as monastic, austere, and concrete, Balliano’s meticulous paintings appear nearly mechanical in their precision, masking an intensely manual and gradual process.

Each of Ballinao’s painting begins with hand-drawing his signature arches, which are underpainted in dark acrylic and then built up with thin layers of white plaster. After this initial stage of painting, he sands, buffs, and scores the surface, giving the work a sense of naturalistic weathering. He then applies diluted washes of paint that drip down the surface by gravity, determining the final orientation of the work. While Balliano has long worked in monochrome, he has recently added red and ochre tones to his practice, continuing his exploration of the balance between strict order and organic movement.

Balliano received a BA in Photography from C.F.P. Riccardo Bauer in Milan and a BA in Graphic Arts in Turin. After moving to New York in 2006, he transitioned from photography to painting, developing the materially-focused and geometric approach that defines his work today. He is also known for his sculptural work, which translates the visual vocabulary found in his paintings into solid objects, often in ceramic, wood or stone.

Balliano has presented solo exhibitions at institutions including Museo Novecento in Florence (2019), Bottega Veneta Maison in New York (2018), and MARCA – Museo delle Arti di Catanzaro in Italy (2018). His work has been featured in numerous group exhibitions, including Assembly 3 in Monticello, New York (2022); The Italians at The Margulies Collection in Miami (2022); The Cumulative Effect at Songwon Art Center, Seoul (2020); Homemade at Magazzino Italian Art Museum, NY (2020); as well as presentations at Cardi Gallery, London (2024) David Zwirner Gallery, NY (2015), Sean Kelly Gallery, NY (2014, 2010), Madre Museum in Naples (2012), The Watermill Center, NY (2011, 2009), MoMA PS1, NY (2010), and Espace d’Art Contemporain de Castellón, Spain (2010). His work is held in permanent collections including The Margulies Collection and Magazzino Italian Art Museum. Tina Kim Gallery has represented Davide Balliano since 2017.