Giuseppe Castagna
The Materiality of Form
Born in Castelgomberto in 1932, Giuseppe Castagna developed a practice defined by the physical limits of his medium. His early years were shaped by the traditions of restoration, working as an apprentice on frescoes and stained glass. This foundational contact with fragile surfaces informed a career that would later span much more rugged territories. After completing studies at the Accademia Cignaroli in Verona
and the Accademia di Belle Arti in Venice, he moved toward a more experimental approach to sculpture and ceramics.
His work was never confined to a single substance. Instead, his research focused on testing the resistance of whatever material sat before him. He moved through a vast landscape of media, including:
Ceramic and porcelain
Glass and Murano glass
Bronze and aluminum
Cast iron and steel
Marble, stone, and cement
Wood and tr…
