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Rye Arts Center Displays Work of Italian Painter Nenne Sanguineti Poggi

RYE, N.Y. -- The Rye Arts Center will display the work of acclaimed Italian painter Nenne Sanguineti Poggi from Jan. 21 - March 4.

"Savana eritrea" by Nenne Sanguineti Poggi. Her artwork will be on display at the Rye Arts Center from Jan. 21 - March 4.

"Savana eritrea" by Nenne Sanguineti Poggi. Her artwork will be on display at the Rye Arts Center from Jan. 21 - March 4.

Photo Credit: Provided/Rye Arts Center

The exhibition is titled "Nenne Sanguineti Poggi: An Artist Without Borders." The opening reception will be held Saturday, Jan. 21, from 3 - 5 p.m.

Poggi’s paintings, which have been shown on three continents, reveal a strong influence from Africa, where she lived for 30 years, according to a release from the Rye Arts Center.

Poggi was hired by then Emperor Haile Selassie to create monumental projects, including large-scale mosaics, which still stand today on schools and churches in Ethiopia, the release said.

She authored a book, contributed chapters to many more, and wrote several articles published in international newspapers.

Additionally, Poggi was a special envoy to the United Nations, and was the recipient of many distinguished awards during her lifetime.

Her style as an artist was greatly affected by her years in Africa. Before her passing in 2012, Poggi discussed how Africa inspired her work:

"I painted from real': landscapes that captured an ancient and eternal, unspoiled nature, human figures from a people quite elegant in their physical traits, and so very interesting in their many characteristics. I liked everything of that land… Returning to Italy after 30  years was a major problem."

"Exposed as I had been to the vast African horizons, I could not adjust to find pleasure in narrowly contained landscapes. Then the need for color won. I searched behind closed eyes for memories of Africa and recaptured them within geometric frames so that they would escape no more, while mortifying the once so vibrant colors."

The exhibition will guide visitors through Poggi's journey; they will explore the range of subjects and artistic styles through her beautiful and masterful work, the release said.

“The story of this exhibition is a story of good fortune," said Meg Rodriguez, executive director of the Rye Arts Center. "When we learned that Deborah Sanguineti [a community member already involved with The Rye Arts Center] is the granddaughter of such a talented and accomplished artist, sharing her works in an exhibition presented itself as an irresistible opportunity.”

To learn more about the exhibition, call (914) 967-0700 or visit www.ryeartscenter.org.

The Rye Arts Center is at 51 Milton Rd., Rye.

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