The figure of Mario Ceroli (Castelfrentano, Chieti, 1938) stands as one of the pillars of Italian sculpture in the twentieth century, an artist whose daring research and innovative use of materials have left an indelible mark on international modern art. His journey, which is rooted in figurative tradition before projecting itself into a conceptual and environmental dimension, places him in a unique position, often defined as a precursor of Arte Povera (Poor Art) and, simultaneously, a leading figure in Italian Pop Art. Ceroli’s artistic training began in Rome, where he moved at an early age. His talent clearly emerged in 1958, the year he won the prestigious prize for young sculpture at the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna in Rome, an acknowledgment that marked the beginning of a brilliant career. The sculptor immediately distinguished himself through the use of "poor" or natural materials. In his hands, raw wood, earth, rags, and glass abandoned their utilitarian function to assume ...