Afro

Italian, 1912- 1976. Afro Libio Basaldella, known as Afro, was a famous post-World War II era painter. The artist was an educator and member of the Scuola Romana and worked with artists Lucio Fontana and Alberto Burri. Afro is famous for his abstract artworks synthesizing the Futurist and Cubist techniques. Afro was born in Undine in Italy on 4th March, 1912. The artist first exhibited his work at the age of 16 with his brothers Mirko and Dino, who were also artists. After two years in 1929, the painter and his brother Dino received a Marangoni Arts Foundation’s scholarship to pursue art in the city of Rome. He also learned Fine Arts in Venice and Florence. While studying at the Marangoni Arts Foundation, Afro got acquainted with the Scuola Romana artists like Corrado Cagli and Mario Mafai. He started experimenting with Neo-Cubism in Paul Klee's style and produced multiple murals.

The artist first traveled to New York in 1950. Here he was inspired by Abstract Expressionist artists, mainly Arshile Gorky, who inspired his mature style. Along with his paintings, Afro's works also involve a 1936 commission for the Opera House in Udine, 1937 murals for World Exhibition that took place in Paris, and the 1958 mural titled The Garden of Hope commissioned for the UNESCO headquarters located in Paris.

Afro's artwork for sale is available at many auctions in the U.S.Today, collectors can find Afro's art for sale at auctions. It is on display at the Gallerie di Palazzo Leno Montanari, Vicenze, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome, among others. Collectors can also find Afro's prints at online auction and Afro's artwork at online auction on leading art gallery platforms. Afro's art at online auction also features Afro's prints for sale.