The Body of Women: Francesca Chialà's exhibition across Brescia's historic centre and the Santa Giul

The Body of Women: an urban and museum route

The Body of Women is a project by artist and sociologist Francesca Chialà that animates public spaces and museum rooms in Brescia. Through expansive canvases made with Body Art techniques and purpose-built installations, the exhibition confronts gender-based violence while engaging directly with the Santa Giulia Museum's frescoes and sculptures and the city's historic fabric.

What to see

• Tele‑Corpo: large-format canvases created within international contexts (Venice Biennale, EXPO Osaka) now staged to converse with the museum's historical artworks.
• Corridoio UNESCO installations: works placed along the museum route that connect ancient Brescia to contemporary themes.
• City interventions: suspended canvases and displays cascading from prominent buildings and running along arcades, conceived as a secular procession supported by local volunteers.
• Viridarium: a walk-through canvas offering an immersive experience of the artist's message about respect for women's bodies.

Why visit

The exhibition blends artistic practice with social commentary: Chialà employs Body Art and large-scale painting to create a direct dialogue with cultural sites and the public. The installations foreground encounters between contemporary imagery and historic settings, prompting reflection on rights and protection for women.

Practical information

• Locations: display venues across Brescia's historic centre and inside the Santa Giulia Museum.
• Tickets and opening times: check the Santa Giulia Museum's official website or Brescia tourist information for up-to-date schedules, guided visits and admission fees.
• Accessibility: many museum spaces are accessible; verify potential limitations for outdoor installations.
• Visitor tips: plan a route that includes the Corridoio UNESCO and the Viridarium to experience the full dialogue between contemporary works and heritage sites.

Cultural significance

This project extends awareness-raising beyond museum walls by situating artworks in both urban and museum contexts. Works developed in international settings are adapted for Brescia, fostering a conversation that links art, memory and civic participation around the themes of dignity and respect.