About SZ

Saul Zanolari – Biography

Saul Zanolari is a Swiss artist, born in Mendrisio on September 18, 1977. His artistic research revolves around figurative expression, marked by a continuous evolution toward visual minimalism and a strong focus on identity—both individual and collective.

Initially known for his digital works, which were exhibited internationally in cities such as New York, Beijing, Milan, Shanghai, London, Paris, Valencia etc., Zanolari progressively shifted away from visual complexity, embracing a highly distilled and symbolic aesthetic. His recent works explore the simplification of form as a means of direct, immediate communication—responding to the increasingly image-saturated and fast-paced nature of contemporary visual culture.

In 2025, he presents the solo exhibition “XXY – de’ Medici” at the Museo de’ Medici in Florence. The project comprises a series of stylized portraits depicting members of the Medici family and key figures of the Renaissance. Executed on painted and engraved wooden panels, the portraits are assembled into sculptural modular cubes. These works reflect on themes of power, patronage, and legacy, creating a visual and conceptual bridge between historical and contemporary modes of representation. The exhibition also features site-specific wall drawings designed in continuity with the portrait series.

In parallel, Zanolari develops the “XXY PORTRAITS 2025” series, pushing visual reduction to its extreme. In these works, subjects are stripped of facial features such as eyes, replaced instead by chromosomal markers (XX or XY) and stylized nipples (red circles with a dot or an X), becoming universal identifiers rather than individual traits. Through this symbolic system, Zanolari explores the loss of individuality in favor of essential categorization, offering a sharp commentary on identity and representation in the digital era.

Zanolari views art as a relational and communicative tool. The value of an artwork, in his perspective, lies not in technical execution but in the emotional or psychological reaction it provokes. His portraits are conceived as catalysts for response—highly recognizable, impactful images that bypass narrative in favor of direct engagement.

His most recent work also expands into the realms of design and textile production, applying his visual language to items such as wallpapers, garments, accessories, and furniture fabrics, thereby extending the artwork’s reach into daily life and emphasizing art as a lived, wearable, and immersive experience.

Saul Zanolari lives and works between Switzerland and Italy.