Pablo Atchugarry at the National Gallery: “Sculpting the Light”

From 19 May to 21 June 2026, the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome presents "Sculpting the Light", an exhibition gathering 55 works by Uruguayan sculptor Pablo Atchugarry, whose practice investigates materiality and the interplay between form and light.

Venue and dates

The show is hosted at the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome and brings together a significant body of the artist’s work, reaffirming his longstanding connection with Italy.

Highlights

• 55 works including signature marble sculptures and pieces in diverse materials;
• sculptures in wood carved from centuries-old olive trunks, offering an organic intimacy;
• enamelled bronzes, alabaster works and large-scale steel installations with strong environmental presence;
• a special juxtaposition of four Atchugarry sculptures with masterpieces from the permanent collection by Arp, Fontana, Giacometti and Moore.

The exhibition route

The displayed works are characterised by metamorphic shapes and a plastic-luminous dynamic: forms that evoke columns, flames, bodies and drapery and are conceived to interact with space and natural light. The layout highlights material variety and formal experimentation across the artist’s practice.

Curatorial and institutional notes

Curator Gabriele Simongini stresses the living quality of the sculptures, describing them as "organisms" that open to movement and light and trigger an instinctive response. For the occasion, Atchugarry donates a white marble work titled "Splendour" to the Gallery’s permanent collection.

The Gallery director notes how the artist softens the hardness of marble, creating rhythm and motion through contrasts of light and shadow, and highlights the donation as an important cultural bridge with South America.

Practical info

For opening hours, ticketing and guided visits, please refer to the official channels of the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea.