Dive with Cat. Swimmer. Marco Silombria (Savona, 1936 – Albissola, 2017) 1980s

A swimmer, body leaning forward as in a dive from a springboard, blends with the shape of a cat. The dark background makes the fluorescent colours and glitter shine, creating a strong visual impact. Silombria’s pop style is linked to his work as an advertising graphic designer for big brands like Fiat, which gave him the skill to create iconic, clear and powerful images. The composition speaks a simple and direct visual language, where movement, colour and a playful atmosphere meet a queer sensibility.

Provenance: from the artist’s studio, through family members.
Condition: good, with minor losses and small age marks along the edges.

Marco Silombria was a painter, sculptor, ceramist and advertising graphic designer. He was a student of Emilio Scanavino, worked with Armando Testa, and created campaigns for Fiat, Facis, Superga and other Italian companies from the 1970s to the 1990s. Active in Albissola and Turin, he mixed pop culture with classical myths and introduced the male nude in Italy with a pop-dada approach, creating an iconic and visually strong style.