The Wonderland Era (2023 to Present)

Innovations in Art: Surrealism, Community, and Sustainability​​

Exploring the Dialogue Between Nature and Technology​

Yuri Catania’s most recent body of work, Yuri in Wonderland, marks a profound evolution in his artistic journey. This period is defined by a bold exploration of the interaction between nature and technology through a variety of media.

The inaugural piece of this series, Lugaxy Astro Flowers, is a monumental mural on the façade of Palazzo dei Congressi in Lugano. This epic artwork integrates photographs of Parco Ciani’s vibrant flora with surreal, AI-generated imagery, creating an otherworldly vision. Central to the piece is a portrayal of astronaut Claude Niccolier in dialogue with the flowers of the nearby park, a poetic fusion of humanity’s technological aspirations and the timeless beauty of nature.

Catania’s surrealist approach invites viewers to imagine a world where science and the organic coexist harmoniously. The piece is not only a visual marvel but also a participatory experience. Local residents of all ages contributed to its realization, reflecting Catania’s dedication to community engagement and collaboration. The artwork, live and evolving through augmented reality, bridges the physical and digital realms, offering an interactive and immersive encounter that transforms the urban setting into a stage for innovation and beauty.

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Participatory Street Art and Community Engagement

Catania’s artistic process is deeply rooted in community participation, engaging people of all ages to become collaborators in his projects. From Lugaxy Astro Flowers to The Cats of Rovio, his works foster collective storytelling and transform public spaces into shared cultural experiences. By integrating local residents into the creation process, Catania not only enriches his art but also builds meaningful connections within the community.

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Artwork That Has Life Through Augmented Reality
Yuri Catania’s art extends beyond the visual, bridging physical and digital realms through the innovative use of augmented reality (AR). Each piece immerses viewers in a deeper experience, revealing extra layers of artistic content accessible via VR or smartphones. This fusion creates a living artwork that evolves and interacts, enriching urban spaces with dynamic storytelling.​

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Overpainted Post-Photography

A defining technique of this era is Catania’s overpainting of his post-photographs. Using acrylic and oil, he renders the portrayed subjects in black and white, surrounded by a vivid, hand-painted explosion of flowers and colors. This emotionally charged process is deeply instinctive, with Catania channeling raw emotion into each brushstroke. The result is an intensely personal performance captured on canvas, where the stark monochrome subjects contrast against the dynamic vibrancy of painted flora. These artworks evoke a profound connection with viewers, emphasizing the fragility and resilience of life through a surreal and emotive lens.

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The Power of Women in Yuri Catania’s Work
Central to Catania’s vision is the celebration of women’s strength and resilience, a recurring theme that inspired the creation of Astro Girl. This series portrays women as powerful figures in surreal settings, blending humanity's exploratory spirit with the nurturing beauty of nature. These works stand as a tribute to the essential role of women in shaping the balance between progress and preservation.​​

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New Horizons (2020 to 2022)

The Change:

New Beginnings

The Covid-19 pandemic marked a pivotal shift in Yuri Catania's career, pausing his work in the fashion industry and confining him to his studio in Switzerland. During this enforced isolation, Catania embarked on an introspective journey to rediscover the beauty of his immediate surroundings. Immersed in nature and inspired by the lush garden nurtured by his wife Silvia, he began to explore the poetic elegance of flowers and the landscapes around him.

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Black Flower Secret Garden

This transformative period gave rise to "Black Flower Secret Garden," a series of photographs capturing the nocturnal allure of flowers in his garden. These works, defined by an intimate approach and newfound sensitivity to nature, gained widespread recognition. Exhibited in cities such as Basel, Zurich, Lugano, Cologne, New York, and St. Petersburg, they quickly became part of prestigious collections, signaling a new chapter in Catania's artistic journey.

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Large-Scale Photography

The inability to travel sparked an outpouring of creativity, propelling Catania to conceive and execute ambitious projects. Among them was the extraordinary street art photography exhibition "The Cats of Rovio." Born in the small village of Rovio, where Catania resides and was confined due to the pandemic, this record-breaking event used paste-up techniques to transform the walls and roofs of the town into an open-air gallery. It became the largest artistic endeavor by a single artist in Switzerland, creating a unique attraction in the area. By engaging the local community in a participatory process, Catania redefined the role of the artist as a storyteller and collaborator, giving birth to the project "Giant Stories on Paper by Yuri Catania."

 

The Night After & NFT collection (Non-Fungible Tokens)

While exploring the vibrant nocturnal beauty of flowers, Catania expanded his artistic language to address the intersection of nature and humanity's quest for new frontiers. His works juxtapose Earth's organic splendor with the desolation of extraterrestrial landscapes, highlighting the absence of nature in imagined futures. This thematic evolution led to a series of creations featuring oversized flowers, space suits, and surreal characters, brought to life through analog photography, 3D modeling, and artificial intelligence.

The culmination of this experimentation was his first NFT collection, paired with physical works printed on fine cotton paper. These pieces extend beyond traditional art forms, integrating VR and smartphone technology to create immersive experiences. With these innovations, Catania bridges the physical and digital realms, reinforcing his role as a forward-thinking, multidisciplinary artist.

 

Early Career Highlights (2002-2020)

First Artistic Period ​​

Street Photography

Yuri Catania, a renowned photographer and director in the fashion industry, reached the pinnacle of his career in the early 2000s. His work took him to global cities like New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Tokyo, Paris, and London. In these urban settings marked by stark social contrasts, Catania developed a deep interest in visual storytelling that transcended the glitz of the fashion world.

While creating images for prestigious magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and Numerò, Catania found himself immersed in a world of luxury and perfection. However, his sensitive spirit led him to explore parallel realities: those of abandoned places, forgotten objects, and the simple beauties of everyday life. These observations, often captured in black and white photographs, reflect a deep, delicate melancholy, a sentiment that becomes a recurring theme in his work.

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Prizes and Exhibitions

His street photography series gained international acclaim, exhibited in public spaces and earning significant recognition, such as an honorable mention from Art Fair Cologne for his work "American Flag - Anthology One." His exhibitions at Palais de Tokyo, Perrotin Gallery, Candiani Venice, and Officine Fotografiche Milan, curated by prominent figures like Renè Julien Praz and Elisabetta Da Lio, further cemented his stature in contemporary art.

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Publications

His artistic commitment also materialized in significant publications. "No Fashion Places of America" explores street photography in a new light, while "Marfa Marfa Marfa" and "No Fashion Places" (the catalog for the Venice exhibition) reflect his interest in minimalism and personal interpretation of places and moments.

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Highlights from the Early Years

2005-2020: Transitioned from fashion photography to exploring the intersection of urban life and art.

2008: Awarded the Honorable Mention Award from Premio Fotografico Italiano.

2015: Published his first photography book, No Fashion Places of America, establishing his voice as an artist blending commercial and fine art.

2017: Embarked on documenting all 50 U.S. states in an Airstream, creating a body of work reflecting the essence of contemporary America.

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