BIO
The artistic research of Matteo Girola (Milan, 1983) unfolds along the diverse trajectories of contemporary photography, encompassing multiple modes of artistic expression.
His research explores the use of imagery between reality and fiction, between the found document and the constructed image, reflecting on the uncertainties and transformations of visual perception through its as-yet-unrevealed process, while investigating our visual understanding of the world.
He graduated in Painting and Photography from the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in Milan and in Photographic Cataloguing and Archiving from CFP Bauer.
He has participated in solo and group exhibitions in Italy and internationally, including at Studiofaganel in Gorizia, the Italian Cultural Institute in Belgrade, the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Cinisello Balsamo, Premio Fabbri in Pieve di Soligo, Swit Platform in Gothenburg, Triennale Milano, Giacomo in Bergamo, luogo_e in Bergamo, IUAV in Venice, Miami Beach Regional Library, Premio Combat in Livorno, the Civico Archivio Fotografico in Milan, FORMA in Milan, and the Premio Nazionale delle Arti.
“He investigates notions of space, the relationship between interior and exterior, and liminal zones, exploring the uses of imagery in relation to new technologies and social networks, while examining the possibilities of establishing a distinct form of ‘photographic communication’.” — Matteo Balduzzi
“Matteo Girola’s artistic research represents an attempt to render the uncertainty of the image visible (…) Photographing reality is, first and foremost, a means of understanding it. Girola employs photography in precisely these terms, reflecting on the transformations of both the image and the reality it reproduces — a condition particularly prevalent in contemporary society.” — Luca Panaro
Girola is represented in Italy by Studiofaganel gallery
MAIN EXHIBITIONS
2025
“Viewfinders” (solo exhibition), curated by Sara Occhipinti and Marco Faganel, studiofaganel, Gorizia
“Viewfinders” (solo exhibition), Glenda Cinquegrana Art Consulting, Centrale Festival, curated by Luca Panaro e Glenda Cinquegrana, Milano
“Luce dei miei occhi” (solo exhibition), Centrale Festival, curated by Luca Panaro, Fano
“OFF THE WALL”, curated by Erik Kessels, MIA Photo Fair, Milano (Artist Residency Award Winner)
2023
“Swit Platform”, curated by Luca Panaro and Stefano Conti, Centrale Festival Milano, Chippendale Studio, Milano
“Swit Platform”, curated by Luca Panaro and Stefano Conti, FG2 , Goteborg
2019
“Raccontare l’invisibile”, curated by Agustin Sanchez, promoted by Accademia di belle arti G. Carrara and da CNR-ITB, Giacomo, Bergamo
2018
“La veranda e il periscopio”, curated by Chiara Fusar Bassini, Federica Mutti, Luciano Passoni, luogo_e, Bergamo
“Solo un ricordo” (solo exhibition), curated by Julia Rajacic, Italian Institute for Culture, Belgrade, Serbia
2016
“Premio Combat”, Museo Civico G. Fattori, Livorno. * (video section special mention)
2015
“Premio Combat”, Museo Civico G. Fattori, Livorno *
“Sono stato lì, Esperienze di rilievo fotografico dell’Italia contemporanea” curated by Stefano Munarin, Andrea Pertoldeo, IUAV, Venezia
“F4 Un idea di fotografia”, curated by Carlo Sala, Villa Brandolini, Pieve di Soligo
2014
“Variazioni Bertallot”, Video-art performance, Sky Arte HD
2013
“Premio d’arte Citta’ di Treviglio”, ALT arte contemporanea, Alzano Lombardo *
“RaiTune5” Video-art performance – Rai 5 TV
2012
“The End”, curated by Gean Moreno, Miami Beach Regional Library, Miami, USA*
“Paylasilan Isaret II”, Cennet Kultur ve Sanat Merkezi, Istambul, Turkey *
“Premio Francesco Fabbri per le Arti Contemporanee”, Villa Brandolini, Pieve di Soligo *
“L’Architettura del Mondo, Infrastrutture, mobilità, nuovi paesaggi”, curated by Alberto Ferlenga, Triennale di Milano, Milan *
“Premio Città di Treviglio”, curated by Sara Fontana, Civico Museo Ernesto and Teresa Della Torre, Treviglio
“Bitgeneration”, curated by Agustin Sanchez, Kilometro Rosso, Stezzano *
“Senza titolo”, curated by Luca Panaro, Pala Riviera, San Benedetto del Tronto *
Video-art performance on “RaiTune5” – Rai 5 TV
“Art Around”, curated by Matteo Balduzzi and Chiara Buzzi, Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea , Cinisello Balsamo *
“Ti sono vicino” (Solo exhibition), curated by Matteo Balduzzi and Chiara Buzzi at Teatro Arcimboldi, Milan – International Festival of Culture, Bergamo
2011
“Raitunes” Live Video-art performance, Rai Radio 2
“Milano un minuto prima”, curated by Matteo Balduzzi, FORMA, Milan *
“Oltre”, curated by Andrea Del Guercio, Accademia Contemporanea, Milan
2010
“è – Incontri d’arte a Molfetta”, curated by Ignazio Gadaleta e Gaetano Centrone, Sala dei Templari, Chiesa della Morte, Molfetta *
“Archive Generation”, curated by Luca Panaro, Civico Archivio Fotografico di Milano, Milan
2009
“L’Universo dentro”, Chiesa di San Carpoforo, Milan *
2008
“Imagining Parco Sud” curated by Connecting Cultures, DOCVA, Triennale di Milano, Milan
2007
“Premio Nazionale delle Arti 2007”curated by MIUR- Alta Formazione Artistica e Musicale, Le Ciminiere, Catania *
“In tasca il tempo” curated by Mario Cresci and Davide Tranchina, Museo Arte Tempo of Clusone, Bergamo
*Exhibitions with published catalogues