Franco Manià (b.1939)

Franco Manià spends his days painting to the melodies of his black finches and the comfort of his neighbor's dog resting at his feet. Manià is known for being quiet and solitary so it is no surprise he was the same with his paintings. For nearly a half-century, only his family and close friends had seen his art. His love for painting drove him to create from an early age. With limited access to education and a predetermined future to work at the shipyards of Trieste--as his father and all fathers did of Ronchi--, art school was never an option for Manià so, he taught himself.  He would sketch surreal visions on the horizon he gazed upon daily with watercolor. It wasn't until 1973 that Manià started using oil-based paint, a gift from his biggest supporter and only brother: Oriente. His brother traveled to Milan and London in the early 70s encouraging Manià over the phone to continue with his craft; that the world hadn't seen anything like Manià's art.

As fate would have it, Manià met Agnes Gund--president emerita of the  MoMA-- on holiday in the 90s. Manià, reserved in nature, was kind and grateful but it was his sister Daniela who insisted Gund see the scope of Manià's talent. Daniela's home could easily be mistaken for a gallery with the way she proudly displays her brother's art no matter the scale. When Gund came to explore Manià's works, Daniela's walls said all Gund needed to hear. This was the inception of Gund's support for Manià, which led to  three exhibitions in Manhattan. Drawing further interest from a larger audience encouraged Manià to show locally as well, with a few exhibitions in his native Italy.

Manià no longer travels for his health. Although, he does not fret; he is often transported by his work. In his free time he still visits the view of the horizon on the Adriatic Sea.

Selected Solo and Group Exhibitions:

2023: Gallery 71 | New York, New York

2004: Bar 33 | Ronchi dei Legionari, Friuli-Venezia Giulia

2003: Jan Abrams Fine Art | New York, New York

2000: Berry-Hill Galleries | New York, New York

1999: Jan Abrams Fine Art | New York, New York