In Soave the ‘Incomplete Crosses’ of Padovani, the Veronese village relaunches its artistic vocation

From tomorrow, Saturday 6 June, until 6 September, the ancient walls of the Church of Santa Maria dei Padri Dominicani will host the solo show “Sergio Padovani. Croci incomplete”, curated by the art historian Roberta Tosi. An unprecedented and exciting journey into the lyrical and visceral talent of this artist who was able to transform his passion for experimental music into an absolute vocation for painting. “My painting, which has always been inspired by the very different conditions of the era in which I live, continually tries to find a single level of perception of the surrounding environment which, at the same time, “drags” with it a river of multiple and, in some cases, subliminal information. Ideally, its simplest representation is precisely the cross”, states the artist Sergio Padovani. “It is no coincidence that an unfinished, incomplete cross is drawn by me on the back of my works, to testify to the continuation of a path in constant evolution, in eternal research”. Twenty works that reveal themselves to be a bridge between classical medieval painting and the man of our time, bringing to the stage archetypal visions that speak of humanity since its origins, layering existing stories with new narratives. His painting, through the skilful and completely original use of colours, bitumen and resin, thus becomes a mirror of a restless and disturbing reality in search of itself.

“Padovani’s art leaves no one unscathed. Never. And in a society that pushes you to speed up and run constantly, his art instead forces you to stop and listen”, explains Roberta Tosi, curator of the exhibition. “The light that passes through the wounds of his painting is revealed only to those who accept the bet with life and infinity”. A path that is a small treasure chest that contains the experiences of each individual, revealing the complexities and hopes hidden in each individual’s journey. Padovani reminds us that not all crosses lead to catastrophe; rather, in their incompleteness, they can open the way to an always possible redemption. “His painting was a revelation for me: a true, salvific painting that investigates Man and is not afraid of upsetting”, explains Antonio Menon, president of The Banks Foundation. “An exhibition that will contribute to further enhancing the research of a visionary artist with great expressive intensity, capable of giving substance to the anxieties and fears of contemporary society”. The exhibition will be open to visitors from 6 June to 6 September 2026, from Tuesday to Friday from 2.30pm to 6.30pm; Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2.30pm to 6.30pm, with free admission.