About the artist
From August 30 to September 11, 2023, the Palazzo dei Congressi in Lugano was transformed by the installation of "Lvgaxy Astro Flowers." Spanning 42 meters across the façade, the work features a compelling interaction between the natural environment of Parco Ciani, cutting-edge technology, and a portrayal of astronaut Claude Niccolier, achieving a notable height of 8 meters. This installation forms a symbolic bridge linking the exploration of distant planets by science with the rich biodiversity that defines our Earth, fostering a narrative of hope. Earlier, on April 1-2, 2023, Yuri Catania unveiled “IMperfect” in Milan—a monumental 120-meter artwork dedicated to supporting breast cancer research. This public art piece was created in partnership with the IEO-MONZINO Foundation. In 2021, Catania’s project “I Gatti di Rovio” introduced 120 oversized figures to the streets of Rovio, making it the largest individual open-air exhibition in Ticino, Switzerland, with the town’s unique architecture taking center stage. Catania's artworks have graced multiple international cities including Milan, Venice, Zurich, New York, Paris, and St. Petersburg. His pieces are featured in prestigious collections such as those of Banca Stato Switzerland and Migros Zurich, as well as in numerous private collections worldwide. Beyond his site-specific installations, Catania has created a diverse body of work encompassing fine art photography, mixed media pieces, and NFTs. He originally made his mark in the fashion industry as a photographer, with his works appearing in top-tier publications like Vogue, Numerò, Harper’s Bazaar, and others. new 2024 street art exhibition "Jazz Off the Wall" in Ascona Switzerland new 2023 street art wall "Jazz Off the Wall" at Jazz Market in New Orleans USA 2023 street art giant installation "Lvgaxy Astro Flowers" at Palazzo dei Congressi commissioned by Municipality of Lugano 2023 mixed media public artwork "Lvgaxy Astro Bee" at NFT Festival Lugano commissioned and donated to Municipality of Lugano 2023 street art solo exhibition "IMPERFECT" in favor of Ieo-Monzino in Milano commissioned by Giulia Ruggeri 2023 photography solo exhibition "Moonlit Garden" Erarta Museum Saint Petersburg Russia curated by Olga Danieli 2022 mixed media art solo exhibition "The Night After" CasaGalleria.ART Rovio Switzerland curated by Silvia Torricelli 2022 photography solo exhibition "The Night After" WopArt Lugano Switzerland curated by Paolo Manazza 2022 art show "American Flag VideoGame " Volta Basel Switzerland curated by Kamiar Maleki 2022 art show "Black Flowers Secret Garden" Volta New York USA curated by Kamiar Maleki 2022 art show "Black Flowers Secret Garden" Koln Art Fair Germany 2022 photography & NFTs solo exhibition "My Generoso" Fiore di Pietra top of Monte Generoso curated by Patrizia Cattaneo 2022 collective NFT art exhibition Global Art Roma Palazzo Merulana Roma Italy 2021 film documentary on the art project I Gatti di Rovio by Yuri Catania directed by Kevin Mertz for RSI TV Switzerland 2021 collective exhibition at SIFest Savignano sul Rubicone Italy curated by Alessandro Curti Still Gallery Milano 2021 art show "Black Flowers Secret Garden" Mia Photo Fair Milano Italy, WopArt Lugano CH and Art International Zurich CH 2021 street art installation Street Art Festival Maroggia Switzerland curated by Patrizia Cattaneo 2021 photography solo exhibition "Black Flowers Secret Garden" Artrust gallery Melano Switzerland curated by Patrizia Cattaneo 2021 mixed media art solo exhibition "American Flag Video Game" Artrust gallery Melano Switzerland curated by Patrizia Cattaneo 2021 land art solo exhibition "I Gatti di Rovio" over 120 paste up installations in the Val Mara curated by Patrizia Cattaneo 2018 mixed media artworks solo exhibition "No Fashion Places of America" at Candiani Museum in Venice curated Elisabetta Da Lio 2018 published photography book "Marfa, Marfa, Marfa" 2017 Yuri has been started a trip around all the 50 United States of America by an Airstream. 2017 special mention for "Asia Argento, un'attrice, un set e il cinema" at Centro Culturale Candiani in Venice Italy 2017 mixed media artworks solo exhibition "No Fashion Places of America" at Officine Fotografiche in Milan Italy 2017 selected by the curator Fabio Castelli to show "American Flag Black Neon" at Mia Fair in Milan Italy 2016 photography collective exhibition "Art is Hope" Galerie Perrotin in Paris curated by the curator Renè-Julien Praz 2016 photography book titled “Forgotten Nepal" 2016 gold mention for the "American Flag" installation by Art Fair Colonia 2016 selected by the curator Fabio Castelli to show "American Flag" at Mia Fair in Milan 2016 selected by the curator Adrian Ehrat to show "Forgotten Nepal" at Maag Hallen in Zurich 2015 published his first photography book titled “No Fashion Places of America" 2014 awarded the Best Fashion Movie of the year at Milan International Film Festival 2013 co-founder of Yuri Catania SA Switzerland. He moved all business and family from Italy to Switzwrland 2013 photography collective exhibition "Art is Hope" Palais de Tokyo in Paris curated by Renè-Julien Praz 2012 co-founder of Yuri Catania LLC, a photography studio production in New York, US 2008 started a professional career as a director in the fashion industry 2008 awarded the Honorable Mention award for the Premio Fotografico Italiano 2007 awarded the Premio Fotografico Italiano for the best still life 2006 co-founder of Videoracconti creative communication agency leaded in the fields of fashion based in Milan, Italy 2005 began career as professional photographer 1994 studied Industrial Design at Polytechnic University of Milan Italy 1989 graduated from the School of Art in Milan, Italy 1975 born in Milan, Italy