The Invisible Thread. Gazes: Michele Cea in Dialogue with New

The Invisible Thread. Gazes: Michele Cea in Dialogue with New Generations

The Pinacoteca Metropolitana «Corrado Giaquinto» in Bari presents an exhibition dedicated to Michele Cea, titled “The Invisible Thread. Gazes. Artists. Generations in Dialogue”. Organized by the Fondazione Michele Cea ETS in collaboration with the Metropolitan City of Bari and the De Nittis‑Pascali Art and Dance High School, the project aims to create a conversation between an established artist's practice and the works of emerging students.

Cea’s pieces — made with materials such as canvas, cardboard, wood and bandages — are displayed alongside selected student works. The show explores the emotional and cultural ties that bind the artist to his region and highlights how those ties are reinterpreted through younger perspectives. Threads and ropes recur as symbolic elements of connection and hidden paths.

• Opening: April 8, 2026, 11:00
• Venue: Pinacoteca Metropolitana «Corrado Giaquinto», Via Spalato 19 / Lungomare N. Sauro 27, 4th floor — Bari
• Exhibition period: on view until April 30, 2026
• Educational project: twelve finalist works selected from senior-year students of De Nittis‑Pascali
• Awards: a €1,000 scholarship (to be awarded April 28, 2026, 11:00) and a €500 honorable mention

This presentation functions as an active dialogue rather than a conventional tribute: Cea’s art provides a benchmark that helps orient the eye and frame the students’ investigations. Central themes include dualities — light and shadow, freedom and constraint, inner and outer — while the material approach amplifies tension and contrast.

Highlights to look for:

• Material stratification: textured surfaces that reveal layered processes.
• Symbolic motifs: threads and cords as metaphors for connection and journey.
• Contemporary responses: student pieces that engage with Cea’s formal and conceptual concerns.

The Fondazione Michele Cea ETS promotes artistic growth through exhibitions, awards and support programs. This exhibition embodies that mission by offering visibility, critical exchange and tangible opportunities for young creators.

Visitors planning to attend the opening or an exhibition visit are advised to check the Pinacoteca’s official schedule for updates on opening hours and any related events.