Marinella SENATORE is a multi-disciplinary artist whose practice is characterised by a strong participatory dimension and a constant dialogue between history, popular culture and social structures. Through various assemblies, Senatore rethinks the political nature of collective formations and presents an opportunity for the public to generate social change. Intertwining with the artist's personal autobiographical experiences and collectively shared narratives, her practice encompasses collage, performance, sculpture, photography and video.
Senatore's works have become a symbol of society where the individual can generate movement, strength, energy that transforms the entire reality only if activated and connected to the others. While borrowing some elements from activism, feminism and political engagement, Senatore's practice cannot be circumscribed within such concepts as its purpose is much broader: the creation of a mechanism capable of generating energy by setting in motion something that already exists, including the viewer. In 2013, Senatore founded The School of Narrative Dance, a nomadic school focused on non-hierarchical learning and emancipation. The multidisciplinary school, conceived as alternative training ground, is characterised by free workshops engaging local groups and the general public through energetic and soulful processions, where the artist and participants together orchestrate narratives, tracing new connections between contemporary relations.
Senatore lives and works in Rome and Paris. She studied at the Academy of Fine Arts Naples (1994-1997), the Conservatory of Music (1997) and the National Film School in Rome (1999-2001). Forthcoming solo exhibitions include CCA, Tel Aviv (2022); 34th Bienal de São Paulo, Fundação Bienal de São Paulo, Brasil (2021); Taak, Amsterdam (2021); Museo del Novecento Pistoia (2021); Fondazione Stelline, Milan (2021); and Blitz, Malta (2021). Her work has been exhibited at prestigious venues around the world, with performances and projects held in collaboration with Palazzo Strozzi, Florence (2020); ICC Madrid (2020); The Centre for the Less Good Idea, Johannesburg (2019); Magazzino Italian Art, New York (2019); the National Theatre Mannheim and Kunsthalle Mannheim (2018); 'Activating Public Space,' High Line, New York (2018); Art Night, London (2018); Manifesta, Palermo (2018); and Centre Pompidou (2017), amongst several others. In 2021, Senatore will be one of the few European artists to participate to the 34th Bienal de São Paulo, Brasil. In 2020, Senatore was the winner of the 8th edition of the Italian Council Award, won also by her on the 4thedition. In 2014, she was awarded the prestigious MAXXI prize and was the recipient of the 'Museum Calls Artist' commission of the Association of Italian Contemporary Art Museums (AMACI). She won the Fellowship for Young Italian Artists at Castello di Rivoli, Turin in 2011, and in 2010, was awarded the New York Prize, the 21st Bellisario Award, the Gotham Prize and the Terna Prize.