A pair of Totem Chairs designed by Mario Ceroli. Italy, Poltronova, 1972.

Two 'FRATINA' chairs by Mario Ceroli, produced by Mobili Nella Valle for Poltronova. Unrefined Russian pine, stamped on the side of the chairs 'Ceroli - Poltronova'. ARTE POVERA at it's best.

Literature: Repertorio del Design Italiano 1950-2000, p. 201, illustrated.

Influenced by Louise Nevelson and Joe Tilson as well as by Pop Art, Mario Ceroli chose in the mid-1960s to use wood as his main medium and has since created some of the most extraordinary sculptures from it. His creations often act as homage to notable artworks from history.

In 1966 Mario Ceroli was awarded the Sculpture Prize at the Venice Biennale. In 1967-8 the artist took part in several Arte Povera exhibitions, a movement with which he has been often associated especially due to the use of such simple materials as plain wood. Some of his most important sculptures are held in public collections such as in Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence and the Galleria Nazionale di Arte Moderna in Rome as well as in public spaces as the large scale sculpture Squilibrio in the Fiumicino Airport in Rome which is Mario Ceroli's homage to Leonardo da Vinci.