The Istituto Italiano di Cultura and  The Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2015, present:

Illustrations by Lorenzo Mattotti

From the Graphic Novel by Neil Gaiman and Lorenzo Mattotti

An exhibit of illustrations by Lorenzo Mattotti from the Graphic Novel by Neil Gaiman and Lorenzo Mattotti.  OPENING RECEPTION:  SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2015; 5:30PM - 7:30PM The exhibit runs through June 26, 2015 Istituto Italiano di Cultura 496 Huron St., Toronto Infoline: 416.921.3802 ext. 221

Mattotti was born in Brescia (Lombardy). He studied architecture when he was young, but did not finish the course. Instead he became a comics artist. After a few traditional comic stories he decided he wanted to tell different kinds of stories and portray these in a different style. Il Signor Spartaco was the first comic made under this ambition. The story centred on the dreams of a train passenger making it possible for Mattotti to use forms and colors in a way previously unseen in the classic French-Belgian comic world. He focused more on the inner world of his characters and the total absence of an adventure was also a radical change in the comics universe. Mattotti is mainly inspired by painters, musicians, writers and directors. To him, the relation between text and image should be the same as with text and music. The two should enrich each other. Unusually, in Mattotti's comics the text illustrates the illustration instead of the other way around. He always makes sure the text has enough freedom for multiple interpretations. CO-sponsored by TORONTO COMICS ARTS FESTIVAL In collaboration with GALERIE MARTEL

Part of the the TORONTO COMICS ARTS FESTIVAL 2015!