Valentino Marra, painter and sculptor (born in Lecce in 1956), graduated as a Master of Arts from the Gioacchino Toma Art School in Galatina and later attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Lecce. Since 1980, he has participated in numerous prestigious solo and group exhibitions in various Italian and foreign cities. His Madonnas dominate the altars of some of the most prestigious private chapels in Salento, and he created the altarpieces for the Church of the Angels in Terra d’Otranto (2009). His works are featured in the most important national contemporary art fairs.

At his solo exhibition at the Palazzo della Comunità in Orta San Giulio (December 6, 2013 – January 7, 2014), the book “Dreams on Canvas” was presented with great success. This monograph, featuring about 100 works by the Apulian artist, was produced and distributed worldwide by Silvana Editoriale, curated by Francesca Franco, director of the Alighiero Boetti Foundation and assistant to Achille Bonito Oliva since 2008. Critic Francesca Franco described Marra as “a perpetually breathless present that traverses time and space, showing us the instant ‘This’.” His works are also featured in the film “CENERE,” written and directed by Simone Petralia, produced by Giuseppe Lepore in 2015.

In his latest solo exhibition in Monte Carlo – Incoming Project – Ptè de Monaco, Galleria MONNA LISA 20, from May 9 to June 28, 2015, Valentino Marra honored the royal family of Monaco with a work dedicated to Princess Grace Kelly. In October 2016, his “Tango” works were presented at Casino Barriere Croisette Cannes.

The Salentino painter was chosen as the protagonist of the “AltaModa AltaRoma” exhibition. Marra’s art convinced the World of Fashion’s management, which awarded him “Artist of the Year” in 2016. A monumental 6m x 4m work became the scenographic centerpiece of the runway during the 16th and 17th editions of the AltaRoma calendar.

In the spring of 2017, his “QUADRIDIMENSIONE” works were presented at the Louvre Museum of Decorative Arts. Valentino Marra is increasingly becoming one of the ambassadors of Salento’s Arts and Culture in the world.