“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our soul,” Pablo Picasso once said.
Many Florida International University (FIU) students, faculty and visitors would agree with Picasso’s words, as they enjoy viewing new art displayed in offices, hallways and gathering spots in the College of Business offices at FIU Downtown on Brickell.
International artist Karim Ghidinelli has made a gift of eight spectacular oil on hand engraved aluminum pieces, some large, some monumental in size.
“I wanted these pieces to have a proper place,” says Ghidinelli, who currently lives in Miami. “I am a strong believer in education; just as there is art for art’s sake, there should be education for education’s sake. My gift brings those two together.”
Ghidinelli said much thought goes into the text he uses in his art and he hopes people take the time to read the words he selected. “My work is based upon passage, mark and assurance,” he says. “Identity is naturally a part of the evolutionary process of the passage; the mark is embodied by my distinctive trace on the page.” “The FIU Chapman Graduate School of Business is thrilled to be selected for this gift,” said Angel Burgos, executive director of MBA programs at FIU. “We know that art has the ability to transform communities, as we have seen during our five years of working to ‘make space for art’ at FIU’s Brickell center.” The FIU Downtown on Brickell facility is located in the heart of Downtown Miami at the iconic office towers at 1101 Brickell Avenue.
Ghidinelli’s rich background becomes part of his work.
A global perspective is apparent in Ghidinelli’s art. Born in Italy, the artist has lived and studied around the world, including Ethiopia, Namibia and England. In Savannah, Georgia, he earned BFA and MFA degrees at the renowned Savannah College of Art and Design.
Ghidinelli’s work has been featured in an impressive list of exhibits around the world, including solo shows recently at the Galerie Le Royer in Montreal and now at Cheryl Hazan Gallery in New York City.
“Our executive and professional MBA students on their own intellectual journeys will be enriched by Ghidinelli’s artistic insights,” said Burgos. “Miami’s thriving art scene and Brickell’s growing cultural life will be enlivened as well.”
