PIERLUIGI PARODI SIGNED SILKSCREEN: c. 1975, Brazil. Pierluigi Parodi (b. 1933, Genoa, Italy & Brazil), silkscreen (aka. serigraph) depicting stylized foliage, likely a tapestry design or supporting image, signed in graphite on the face, Image 18.5"h x 21.5"w, framed 27"h x 30"w.

BIOGRAPHY: Pierluigi Parodi (b.1933, Genoa, Italy & Brazil) was born in Genoa, Italy and moved to Brazil where he studied painting from the age of 9. His style shows the influence of Matisse’s cutout compositions and the style of tapestry weaver Genaro de Carvalho. Between 1964 and 1974 he worked exclusively in tapestry weaving and design and was included in solo and group exhibitions in the United States and South America.

EXHIBITIONS: Solo Exhibition _ Art Museum of the Americas, Washington D.C. Solo exhibition ‘Tapestries by Parodi of Brazil’, 1974. Group Exhibition _ Gallery Rodrigo Mello Franco de Andrade, ‘Caminhos da Tapeçaria Brasileira (Paths of the Brazilian Tapestry)’, 1978. Publications: 1.) PierLuigi Parodi. 10 Anos de Tapec¸aria; Brasil Museu Nacional de Belas Artes. Rio de Janeiro: Ministeerio da Educacao e Cultura, 1974. 2.) Artistas Da Tapeçaria Brasileira (Artists of Brazilian Tapestry), sponsored by Volkswagon Do Brasil. Raízes Artes Gráficas, 1987.

PROVENANCE: Mr. William Francisco has the distinction of having been a former executive for Disney World where he worked with the marketing team for the initial opening of Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida as well as Busch Entertainment, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg and as the Executive Vice President of Marketing & Entertainment for 1982 Knoxville World's Fair, Tenn. Working for Walt Disney in 1974, Mr. Francisco went to Brazil to meet with the media group Grupo Globo on behalf of his employer. While there, he admired a Pierluigi Parodi tapestry hung in the walls of the Director’s office. As a parting gift, Grupo Globo gave him a similar tapestry and sent the Pierluigi Parodi to Mr. Francisco where he was additionally presented with a Parodi signed silkscreen also being offered in this auction. Mr. Francisco’s marketing prowess was considered ahead of his time as is evidenced by a quote he gave to the New York Times in 1982 regarding the future of World’s Fairs, “'For future fairs to be successful, being technological and educational won't be enough. The public will also demand to be entertained. And we had to have the same attitude toward service that the theme parks have. People expect tidiness, service and well-trained bright employees.'' Aljean Harmetz. “Not a Banner Year for Amusement Parks.” New York Times August 28, 1982. http://www.nytimes.com/1982/08/28/arts/82-not-a-banner-year-for-amusement-parks.html?pagewanted=all, accessed 2/27/2017.