
Kite
1980
Angelo Savelli's Kite (1980) presents an arrangement of triangular forms assembled from torn and layered sheets of paper and nylon, unified beneath a surface of white acrylic. The composition extends outward from a central point, with sharp angular wings pulling the eye toward the lower corners of the piece while a cluster of overlapping triangles rises toward the upper register. One section incorporates a translucent nylon element, allowing a subtle luminosity to pass through the material and distinguish it from the denser paper elements surrounding it. The torn edges of each component are left exposed rather than concealed, creating delicate ridges and seams that catch light differently depending on the viewing angle and time of day. Savelli was among the most committed practitioners of what might be called a poetics of white, and this work reflects his lifelong investigation into how a single non-color could carry vastness, spirituality, and formal complexity simultaneously. Born in Italy in 1911 and long associated with the New York art world from the 1950s onward, Savelli developed a practice that combined elements of Arte Povera sensibility with a distinctly contemplative approach rooted in his engagement with Eastern philosophy and Zen thought. His white works were never blank or inert. They were instead treated as active fields in which texture, depth, and material difference generated a quiet but persistent visual drama. The choice to title this work Kite grounds its abstract geometry in the world of childhood and flight, suggesting a lightness and aspiration that complements the formal qualities of the piece itself. Works from this period of Savelli's career, when he had fully refined his signature approach, are increasingly sought by collectors who appreciate the intersection of postwar abstraction, material experimentation, and meditative practice. The relatively intimate scale of this work, at 26 by 36 centimeters, makes it well suited to domestic environments where viewers can engage with it closely and observe the way light transforms the surface across different conditions. The relief quality created by the layered collage components gives the work a sculptural presence that exceeds what its dimensions might initially suggest. As institutional and critical interest in Savelli continues to grow, works of this quality and period represent both a significant aesthetic acquisition and a compelling area of collector focus.
- Medium
- Acrylic and collage of nylon and paper
🔨 Auction Lot
Martini Studio d'Arte: Modern And Contemporary Art
June 10, 2026
Estimate: €3,000 to €4,000
Lot 168
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