Roberto Cuoghi

Roberto Cuoghi was born in Modena, Italy in 1973, and lives and works in Milan. Cuoghi’s practice is unique: he has no direct influences, and his work doesn’t fit comfortably within any genre of art. His diverse series of works over the past two decades are united by a preoccupation with process: he develops new techniques and methodologies to execute every work with absolute creative control and the highest degree of craftsmanship. Each new series is vastly different than the last, and Cuoghi moves seamlessly from medium to medium, mastering form without being defined by any singular style.

Cuoghi’s practice lies somewhere in the crux of learning and obsession. His most renowned ‘performance’ began in 1998 when, at the age of 25, Cuoghi prematurely aged himself into an older man of 67 years, seeking to ‘become’ his father. Over the next 7 years, Cuoghi accelerated the appearance of his age rapidly and without the use of prosthetics –instead, he increased his weight to over 300 pounds, dyed his hair grey, grew a large beard, and developed chronic dark circles and eye bags. The portrayal had lasting effects –although he eventually reverted his appearance, the physical trauma would permanently damage his health. This prolific period was depicted in his film, ‘The Goodgriefies’ (2000), which highlighted the complexities of Cuoghi’s new identity as an old man, interspersed with altered iconic cartoon characters –a dystopian blockbuster-style movie which gained him international attention. Cuoghi would reject the notion that this incredible feat can be defined simply as an artwork or performance; rather, it falls at the intersection between art and life, where time and perception, nature and technology, and history and myth collide to form new investigations into humanity.