BIOGRAPHY
YEARS 2000
In the year 2005 he is invited, among others, to take part in the New York International Art Festival. In 2006 the Open Space Cultural Association in Rome organizes the solo exhibition called “Expressions of the Soul”. The same year yet another solo at Palazzo Prati di Rovagnasco in Alessandria promoted by FIDICOM. Caraccio’s works are once again chosen for auctions by Farsetti, Rosenberg and Meeting Art. In the year 2007 the artist takes part in the “Luxory & Yachts” Fair, within the Fair of Verona, with an introduction by Lagart Art Projects, which will subsequently organize a solo exhibition in San Paul de Vence at the La Galery. In spring 2007 the publishing house Mondadori includes Caraccio’s name among the artists who are to be presented in the 2007 edition of the Catalogue of Italian Modern Art, n. 43.
YEARS 1990
In 1992 Professor Franco Passoni writes of him “(…) He has benefited a lot from Van Gogh’s lessons”(…) “From him Caraccio learned the courage to distinguish himself from other coeval artists, letting his temperament and his desire to observe and express himself flow freely.“(…). Subsequently, Caraccio particpates in Bologna’s Art Fair, introduced by the L’Ariete Gallery, and takes part, as the sole rapresentative of Italian art, in the International Group Exhibition of the Modern Art Gallery Du Carré d’Or in Paris, a European painting and sculpture show inaugurated by the French Minister of Culture. In 1994 the Department of Urban Design of the local municipality of Monza (Milan), assigns the artist a project for the creation of a large bronze sculpture called “Door” to be placed at the entrance of the city’s historical centre. Between 1996 and 1999 he dedicates much of his time to studying and researching, without however neglecting exhibitions and shows. After a solo exhibition at the Azurenne Gallery in Antibes, he in fact begins an organic partnership with the FrenchAustralian gallery owner and art dealer John Murphy. Following several solo exhibitions at the La Main d’Or Gallery in Saint Paul de Vence and the St Louis en Ile Gallery in Paris, he moves many of his works of art to the United States and shows them in Houston at the Colombe D’Or Gallery, in Carmel at the Diamarti Gallery, and in Boston at the Lanove Fine Arts.
YEARS 1980
Between 1979 and 1981, he engages in the search for new dimensions, giving way to experiments on large canvasses and innovative materials. Even though he continues to prefer oil, he begins to study new methods, particularly enamel. He presents the results of this research at the “Italia 2000” Prize in Naples and at the “La Bilancia” Prize in Varese, then finally in a solo exhibition held at the City Bank (Consulenza D’Ars) in Rome. Like many fellow artists, in the years 1981 and 1982, Caraccio alternates his work in his atelier in Lissone (Milan) with frequent trips to the United States, mostly Boston and New York, where he meets with Leo Castelli, who encourages a still young Caraccio and shows great appreciation for his love and devotion to figurative art. The year 1983 marks a special moment for the artist: his works are shown at the Il Canovaccio Gallery in Rome in a solo “confrontation” exhibition with Corneille, illustrious representative of the COBRA Movement. The exhibition receives numerous acclaims from the press (Consulenza D’Ars). 1989 marks the beginning of yet another season full of shows: a solo exhibition at the New Fortress in Livorno, organized by Professor Paolo Levi, then the group exhibition “Itineraries in Pisa” organized by Pisa’s Local Department for Culture, with the supervision of the critic Professor Franco Solmi. In addition, he wins the “Valle D’Aosta” Prize, with an introduction by Professor F. Gualdoni. The following year he participates in the New York Art Expò and in the Lineart in Gent, during which the jury awards him the Gold Medal for the “City of Sulmona’” Prize. In those same years, he realizes many important solo exhibitions in Italy as well as abroad: Link Kunstpromotie Gallery in Den Haag; Centro de Arte Contemporaneo in Mexico City, L’Ariete Gallery in Bologna (introduction by Professor Alberico Sala), Petrarca Gallery in Parma (introduced by Giorgio Celli - Group 63). Once again, in Milan, Caraccio, lead by Professor Paolo Levi, confirms his unique love for the human figure, more specifically for the face, as in the solo exhibition called “Modern Masks”, that opens the event “Art on Stage”, at the Filodrammatici Theatre, organized on behalf of the Cultural Local Department. From the following year on, the artist develops an interesting liason with Japan, where his solo exhibition at the Sunada Gallery in Tokyo, promoted by the Soc. Essere, arouses the interest of some of the most prestigious Japanese multinational companies (Mitsubishi, Sony, Toshiba), which buy his artwork and contribute to the diffusion of his name in the country’s capital city. This same year, Caraccio’s works become part of the international auction of the Milanese Nuova Brerarte and he begins a partnership with the prestigious printing house Stamperia d’Arte Internazionale La Spirale, within which he starts to produce lithographs and bronze multiples.
YEARS 1970
Between 1963 and 1972, the artist lives in France and Belgium, where he studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels. His artistic career begins very early: in fact in 1967 he takes part in group exhibitions at the Charbonnier Gallery and the Louise Gallery in Brussels, while in 1968 the Circolo de Pretis of Stradella (Pavia) organizes his first solo exhibition. In those same years he participates in many awards: in Paris, in 1968, he receives the Gold Medal for the “Young Figurative Artists” Award and in 1970 he is assigned the Silver Medal at the Academy of Fine Arts show in Rome. Between 1968 and 1973 he attends the ateliers of different Italian and foreign artists, developing his professional research, which is acknowledged within “Europe 72” at the Royal Palace in Milan and at the ‘Palais des Expositions’ show in Paris. Following the exhibition in Paris in 1972, Caraccio settles down in Italy, where he continues to exhibit at the Il Vettore Gallery in Milan and at the Delia Gallery in Seregno. Incouraged by a warm welcome on behalf of the Master of Italian figurative arts, Remo Brindisi, Caraccio takes part in various national and international contests and shows, among which he wins the “Joan Mirò” International Prize in Barcelona, the “Città di Ostenda” International Prize in Ostenda and the “Pavone D’Oro” National Prize in Milan. In 1974 Caraccio begins to develop great interest for sculpture, an art form which he will study in depth during the following decade. The Provincial Administration of Milan awards the artist third place within the competition for the creation of artwork for the New Institute of Technology of Abbiategrasso. This marks the first of a long series of public acknowledgements for his ability in the field of sculpture. In fact, in 1976, he wins the Lombardy Region National Contest in Milan, with two sculpture projects for the city’s public buildings. The following year he arrives second at the Monument Contest “I Licei”, promoted by the Lombardy Region, and therefore enters in the Board of Italian Sculptors. That same year the city council of Montelparlo (Ascoli Piceno) asks him to build his first monument, a low relief in marble and granite, in honour of the city’s fallen. In 1978 Caraccio wins the painting Oscar “Davide di Michelangelo” (International Art Review in Taormina), which confirms the country’s growing appreciation for his work. That same year he is awarded the prize “Lo Scudo d’Oro - Dante Alighieri”, in Rome. Nonetheless, because of his reserved nature and his strong passion for figurative arts, he keeps a certain distance from the numerous artistic movements of the time.