This exhibition pairs two artists who, despite their vastly different languages, share an exploration of childhood and its connection to our most authentic essence through the relationship with nature. On one side, we have Claudia Giraudo, a long-time artist of PUNTO SULL’ARTE, beloved for her polished, timeless painting. On the other side, Simone Benedetto, presented in the gallery last September, showcases his fresh and immediate sculptures of children at play, reminiscent of snapshots.
Giraudo offers another chapter in her narrative about pre-adolescence as a magical age where boys and girls can still hear the voice of their guiding animal. Her portraits are imbued with magic, such as the young girl beside a cow, sporting bovine ears as if she too is transforming, or the almond-eyed girl with a leopard cub perched on her head, seemingly merging with her. Beautiful, light, and elusive, Giraudo's girls gaze into our eyes as if calling us to listen to the authentic voice of our instincts. Similarly, Benedetto’s children remind us of play as a means of self-discovery, poised to leap like lions or appearing ready to take flight like birds. In his works, large beastly heads merge with faces, creating an illusion of a single soul. His recent pieces introduce plant elements: cherry branches transform into deer antlers, while large monstera leaves mimic elephant ears, reflecting a quest for one’s most authentic self and wild soul that captivates and involves us.
The opening reception will be held on SATURDAY, MAY 16, from 11 AM to 1 PM at the main gallery in Viale Sant’Antonio 59/61 in Varese. The artists and curator Alessandra Redaelli will be present.
The exhibition will remain open until Saturday, June 13, 2026.
SIMONE BENEDETTO was born in Turin in 1985 and built a solid academic foundation, graduating with honors from the Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti in the Sculpture and Plastic Arts section. His exploration of self-identity, along with deep themes of childhood and play, forms the central focus of his work. Benedetto's pieces are not merely aesthetic creations; they are the result of carefully calibrated gestures and technical mastery that imbue the figures with striking realism. A distinctive element of his work is the transformation of the child into an animal, serving as a powerful metaphor for the complex psychological changes that occur within each of us during the crucial development of personality. Through the meticulous precision of each sculptural gesture, the artist captures and gives tangible form to that universal sensation of inner change and transformation that we all experience from childhood. Benedetto's sculptures transcend mere representation, acting as genuine stimuli for reflection on complex and delicate issues—social, existential, and human themes approached with an authentically original and innovative perspective. Thanks to his remarkable versatility, Simone Benedetto has explored and mastered various materials, including concrete, resins, silicones, and classic bronze. His works have gained wide recognition, evidenced by exhibitions in prestigious venues such as Domus Lascaris and Palazzo Saluzzo in Turin. He has actively participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, both nationally and internationally. At PUNTO SULL’ARTE, he contributed to the group exhibition “<20 15x15/20x20” (2024) and was the star of the solo show “In-Wild” (2025). He currently lives and works in Turin.
CLAUDIA GIRAUDO engages in a highly refined pictorial exploration; nothing in her work is ever rushed, and nothing escapes her attention. Every character and setting seems to embody a tranquility derived from the slow acceptance of time as a precious gift—one that should never be wasted but rather cherished in its gradual unfolding. In her emblematic scenes, rich with symbolism and lofty references yet light and fresh, the soul transforms into a Daimon, appearing alongside “its” person as if we suddenly discover ourselves endowed with a third eye. Claudia Giraudo was born in 1974 in Turin. She graduated in 2001 with top honors from the Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti in Turin, under the guidance of Prof. Franco Fanelli. She embarked on her artistic journey in figurative painting, forming her style through the study of the works of Renaissance and Northern European masters. This background is evident in both her technique and subject matter, while still maintaining her unique stylistic signature. She frequently exhibits at art fairs, private galleries, and public institutional venues, including the Museo Nazionale Etrusco Villa Giulia and the Museo Carlo Bilotti Aranciera di Villa Borghese in Rome, the Polo del 900 in Turin, the Museo Ebraico in Bologna, The Artist House in Tel Aviv, and the Museo Casa del Conte Verde in Rivoli. Her works are also part of permanent collections and museum acquisitions both nationally and internationally, including the Harmony Art Foundation in Mumbai (India), the MACIST Museum in Biella, the Eusebio Museum in Alba (CN), the Sala del Consiglio in Bossolasco (CN), and the Museo Civico di Bevagna (PG). She currently lives and works in a small town in the Asti region.