Mimmo Paladino. The Sleepers

Palazzo Citterio in Milan presents Mimmo Paladino’s series The Sleepers from 16 May to 26 July 2026. The exhibition has been conceived for the Sala Stirling, where the works engage directly with the architecture to create an immersive installation.

The Sleepers consists of thirty-two terracotta sculptures cast from the same matrix and arranged differently according to the exhibition space. The reclining figures, curled between sleep and wakefulness, convert the room into a landscape of pauses and reflection. The installation encourages visitor movement, allowing the public to experience unexpected visual and acoustic relationships with the site.

Alongside the sculptures, the show includes a series of large, previously unseen drawings from 1973, preserved in the artist’s studio. These works on paper highlight the central role of drawing in Paladino’s practice and his continual engagement with myth as an expressive source.

Originally conceived in the late 1990s and shown in several international contexts, The Sleepers have often been accompanied by a sound component; for the Milan presentation a sonic track accompanies the visit to enhance the sensory perception of the space.

Practical information

• Dates: 16/05/2026 - 26/07/2026
• Venue: Palazzo Citterio, Sala Stirling — Via Brera, 12, 20121 Milan (MI)
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8:30 AM – 7:15 PM (last entry 6:00 PM)
• Admission: full €12, reduced €8 (Palazzo Citterio only)
• Organiser: La Grande Brera in collaboration with the Paladino Archive
• Curator: Lorenzo Madaro
• Related publication: 180-page monograph (Metilene Edizioni), edited by Lorenzo Madaro
• Website: https://palazzocitterio.org/

The exhibition combines sculpture, drawing and sound to offer a contemplative yet dynamic encounter with contemporary art. It is recommended for visitors interested in immersive installations and the interplay between works and architectural space.