Giudecca 795 hosts 'RITRATTI' (Portraits), a solo show by Fernando Garcia-Monzon, one of the most interesting and innovative portrait artists working today. The vernissage on 21 March from 6 pm will be a good chance to meet him. The Spanish artist (and architect) was awarded the Special Prize at the 7th edition of Premio Arte Laguna and was recognised at the Biennale Internazionale d’Arte Contemporanea di Firenze and at the Salon de la Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts held at the Louvre. The Venice solo show, running until 6 April 2014, presents fifteen pencil drawings on paper made between 1999 and 2013.

The Giudecca 795 Art Gallery selected these works because of their beauty and for Garcia-Monzon's skill at enlivening portraiture, making it contemporary with a real 'anti-aging' process, and for his ability and sensitivity in representing psychological concepts and confronting uncomfortable emotions. For Garcia-Monzon as an architect, portraits are 'like building', and the pencil is the means by which he is able to practise his passion in tandem with his job — inasmuch as drawing in pencil is much more practical than oil painting. For Garcia-Monzon as an artist and man, 'the most difficult thing in portrait making is not how to show what can be seen, but to show what we bear inside.' Garcia- Monzon is able to do it with subtle and disarming intelligence, leading to intense results in the representation of psychological truth.

Giudecca 795 Art Gallery, situated on the island of Giudecca, Venice, in the 16th century palazzetto known as Palazzo Foscari, is a reference point for artists and collectors, representing modern and contemporary art. Painting, sculpture, design, video, photography. Giudecca 795 Art Gallery is a place where new talents can get the same attention as more recognised artists, with the chance of international exposure, encouraging young collectors.