Gino Coppa

Portrait of Maurizio, 1969, ink on paper, 550×400 mm

(Forio d’Ischia 1934-2018). Coppa's painting is inspired by the ethnic and folkloric reality that surrounds him, starting from his youth, when he focuses on themes of processions, festivals, scenes of fishermen, or landscapes of Forio. His encounter with the German artist Eduard Bargheer, also present in this collection, will be important for him, from whom he learns the lesson of German expressionism, but his stays in Africa from 1957 will influence him much more. In Africa, Coppa becomes acutely aware of socio-economic inequalities, eventually becoming politically involved in the Communist Party. From an artistic point of view, he will develop a personal creative process, inspired by African art, ranging from the general to the particular. 

His friendship with Maurizio Valenzi deepens during the latter's vacations in Forio. In 2016, he received the Sebetia Ter Prize for figurative arts dedicated to Maurizio Valenzi.