Barcelona, Spain — mono30 Gallery is pleased to present The Fabric of Play, a solo exhibition by Stefano Vuga, centred on a profound dialogue between memory, aesthetics, and contemporary reflection. Featuring a body of predominantly pictorial works, the exhibition explores the symbolic role of the toy, articulated through two principal poetic narratives.
On one hand, the toy is celebrated as the custodian of childhood—a moment of purity, discovery, curiosity, and learning. Vuga’s works recount this pivotal stage through forms and colours that evoke the very construction of the human self, offering a hymn to authenticity and to our connection with the natural cycles of biological development.
On the other hand, the toy is transformed into a complex and sophisticated metaphor, capable of mediating themes of deep political and social resonance. With the gentle familiarity of its forms, the toy conveys harsh and often unpalatable realities, providing a space for reflection on universal concerns, including vulnerability, conflict, and ultimately, the loss of humanity’s control over its own destiny.
Artistic Approach
Stefano Vuga’s artistic practice is rooted in an innate affinity for colour and craftsmanship, blending tradition with experimentation. From classical techniques such as oil and gouache on wood and canvas, to digital explorations used in the development of studies and compositions, Vuga constructs a layered narrative in which each medium is harnessed in service of the message.
His return to tangible, malleable materials reflects a deliberate choice in an era dominated by the digital. Vuga’s creative process—often slow and contemplative—yields works that embody a unique balance of imperfection and authenticity, the expression of a deeply personal and intimate technê.
Context and Vision
The Fabric of Play emerges in a context marked by acute awareness of the historical moment. According to Vuga, humanity is undergoing a critical phase of transition, in which technology threatens to eclipse human value. His works bear witness to the crisis of the Anthropocene—an epoch of unchecked acceleration that amplifies chaos and threatens to dissolve our connection with the natural rhythm of life.
In this landscape, art becomes both a refuge and a form of resistance. Through his visual language, Vuga seeks to reclaim the meaning of “play” as a moment of pure, intelligent engagement.
Curator : Fabrizio Meris
Stefano Vuga: The Fabric of Play
Duration: From May 3rd to June 29th
mono30 Carrer de Margarit 30, Barcelona, Spain MAP