This extraordinary artist created his own, unique graphic language that allows him to mediate to the spectator even the most complicated and pressing topics of today’s world in original and extremely impressive way. With his highly developed analytical and synthetic thinking and with his pure graphical feeling, he is able to input all disturbing stimuli from the external environment and transform them into specific visual logograms, which become the bearer of rich thought concentrate, the medium of philosophical and ethical information and of explicit human attitude.
Andrea Bersani still belongs to the old school of honest artists who still didn’t emigrate to the cyberworld, but they are still creating their artworks with their own hands, using classical art tools. His artworks often evoke in us the nostalgia of the good old woodcuts and linocuts; nevertheless, they always bring a new, fresh view of the world around us. His style – mainly in the field of visual humor, cartoons – is practically unprecedented and exceptional – his concept is unique and enormously rare.
Andrea Bersani is a lover of life, a connoisseur of art and nature. He is an extraordinarily sensitive artist, his works never lack ethical message – he is always in opposition to any evil; any form of lawlessness never let him sleep peacefully until he has not fighted against it effectively using his philosophical and artistic weapons.
Andrea Bersani has great respect for the traditional values, but he never hesitates to walk after the unbeaten paths, not dissimilar to the ancient discoverers of the new worlds, the seafarers looking boldly over the horizon and floating with fully tensioned sails towards unknown places and adventures, regardless of whether this will bring them fame or destruction. Even the way and search is the aim – Bersani’s creative effort brings us the pleasure of knowledge, experience of aesthetic and intellectual food of exceptionally delicious taste which promises to saturate our senses and thus usefully employ our thinking apparatus.
Andrea Bersani is an artist of distinct artistic opinion and bright creative program. If we would try to define his place within the global cartooning, we could say that his work certainly does not belong to the mass commercial mainstream; he is rather a highly valuable solitaire, whose contribution to the development of the cartoon genre can be considered very important and impossible to overlook.
Andrea Bersani was born on 7th May 1955 in Bologna, Italy. He graduated at the ISAB – the Art Institute in Bologna with the degree of Bachelor of Applied Arts. Subsequenly he taught for a short period „Painted decoration“ on this Institute. Today it is 40 years (1975) since Andrea Bersani focuses on creative work in the field of “Visual Communication” as a graphic designer, advertiser and illustrator. His campaigns illustrated for Mandarina Duck and logo Nautical Shipyards Ferretti, and many others. His artworks have been published in numerous newspapers and magazines in Italy and abroad – Zoom, Omnibook 4, Cronache Giubilari, Pubblico, Grafica & Disegno, Buduar, Fumetti d’Italia, Mongolfiera, Nonsai, la Repubblica + il Venerdì, il Metro, Liberazione, Linus, il Domani (all Italy), Kayhan Caricature (Iran), l’Unità, Panza Verde + Salta La Ris@ (Argentina), Sò Cartoon (Brazil), Nosorog + In Hell (Bosnia&Herzegovina), Yeni Akrep (Cyprus), The Stock Illustration Source voll. 8-9 (USA), Quevedos (Spain), K Magazine, Karika (Croatia), Poesie Fiabesche + Sinapsi in Strass, Brand New!, Kijiji, Anteprima, Kiks + Egzorgizam (Serbia), Laspro, Rido!, il Mondo del Nuoto/Mondiali, Il Foglio, l’Italia s’è Desta, la Vucciria della Domenica, il Giornale d’Italia, Fena Mizah (Turkey), Italian Comics, l’Asino, il Titolo, Il Gonzo e lo Stono (Switzerland), etc). He has hosted the fanzine: Casablanca, Schizzo, Macabrina, Uh!, Fatece Largo, Ragno Magazine, Underground Press and Kerosene (Gaster/collana Vapori di Kerosene). Andrea Bersani has been included in the prestigious “Dictionary of Contemporary Illustrators”. Reviews to his creative work have been wrtten by Oddone Ricci (writer), Franco Spiritelli (journalist), Paul Pombeni (political expert), Stefano Bicocchi / Vito (actor), Alfio Krancic (cartoonist), Roberto Chiesi (film critic) and Giovanni / Gio Romanini (cartoonist). He collaborated or collaborates with a large number of publishers (Il Campo/Giroscopio (Piscine Oggi), Gamma (le favole Dogon + la Fameja Bulgnèisa), Ikon (il Maniaco illustrato), Epierre (Tuttocard), Acme (Animal Comic), Blue Press/ Mare Nero (Blue), Larry Flint (Hustler Comix-Usa), Aspirine (Cuore), Il Diavolo (il Diavolo-Svizzera), Società Veneta Edizioni (XL Malox), Nuovo Pianeta (la Piccola Unità), le Di Salvo (il Cuore), Freschi di Stampa/Mongolfiera (ZIC), Delikatessen (il Resto del Casino), Editoriale Bologna (il Domani di Bologna), Nuova Frontiera dell’Arte (Par Condicio), Città del Sole (Il Berlusconiere), Nicola Pesce/UP (Analysis Zoo), Linea/Veleno3000 (Veleno + Linea), Giraldi (Tempi Modesti), Nuova Iniziativa Editoriale (l’Unità/Emme), MRC (Liberazione + Paparazzin), Arduino Sacco (Cronache Mazziate), X Publishing (X-Times), Luedi (il Quotidiano della Satira), Carlo Gubitosa (Mamma!), Mario Cardinali (il Vernacoliere), Cyrano (il Nuovo Gazzettone + l’Eco della Riviera), Frigolandia (Frigidaire + il nuovo MALE), Martano (Futurando), Dieci Dicembre (E-il Mensile), Nuova Editrice Mondoperaio (Avanti!), Editoriale Libero (Libero -Veleno), Cicogna Editore (Rido Amaro), Italo Campagnoli (Barricate) ed Ediservice (Pesca in Mare), etc). Andrea Bersani always liked humor in graphic art and cartoons – he produced many works for his own passion and – being published – also for others amusement. He won a number of competitions, participated in numerous exhibitions around Italy and the world. Andrea Bersani is still living and working in his hometown Bologna where he has a small studio.
*****
BOOKS:
- Il maniaco illustrato
- Gaster
- XXX
- Tempi modesti. 100 vignette di Andrea Bersani
- Cronache mazziate. 280 vignette
- Rido amaro. 328 vignette digestive
- Pescando nella memoria
*****
PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS:
- 1985 – Centro immagini contemporanee, Bologna, Italy
- 1996 – Pub Down Town, Bologna, Italy
- 1999 – Aquaviva Picena, Marche, Italy
- 2004 – Galerija karikature, Osijek, Croatia
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COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS:
- 2015 – Pallazzo delle Arti, Opera House Cairo, Egypt
- 2014 – Parlamento Europeo Bruxelles, Belgium
- 2014 – 1st International Cartoon Exhibition, Cairo, Egypt
- 2012 – 100 artists in exhibition “Corruption“, Zemun, Serbia
- 2012 – XIX Muestra de humor grafico “Crisi economica“, Universidad de Alcalá, Henares, Spain
- 2012 – Museo de Humor Grafico Diogenes Taborda 30°anniversario guerra delle Malvinas: Mostra in onore di Pepe Angonoa, Argentina
- 2012 – Museo do Humor de Fene “O humor e os dereitos de infancia” La Coruna, Spain
- 2011 – XVIII Muestra de humor grafico “Alimentation“, Universidad de Alcalá, Henares, Spain
- 2011 – Heimat „Bekenntnisse und Ansichten“ Germany
- 2011 – IV Muestra de humor grafico: “Violenza” Uniò de Periodistes Valencians
FECO Spain - 2010 – Exposicao International de Cartoon „Exploracao e direitos dos trabalhadores“ Lisbon, Portugal
- 2010 – III Muestra de humor grafico: “Evolution or creationism” Uniò de Periodistes Valencians FECO Spain
- 2010 – XVII Muestra de humor grafico “Maternity and infancy“, Universidad de Alcalá, Henares, Spain
- 2009 – XVI Muestra de humor grafico “Education basica universal“, Universidad de Alcalá, Henares, Spain
- 2009 – Rassegna Internazionale di Satira „Terra d d’Italia Studio d’Arte Andromeda, Trento, Italy
- 2007 – Il Mostra d’Humor Grafic “La terra en perril”, Spain
- 2006 – Studio d’Arte Andromeda “54° Trento film festival, Trento, Italy
- 2006 – Rassegna Internazionale di Satira “Vogliamo la Luna” Studio d’Arte Andromeda, Trento, Italy
- 2005 – Associazione culturale area 101 – mostra di arte postale – mail par avion “Il volo tra modernita e tradizione” Olgiate Olona – Varese, Italy
- 2005 – XII Muestra de humor grafico “Securidad vial“, Universidad de Alcalá, Henares, Spain
- 2004 – XI Muestra de humor grafico “Don Qujijote de la Mancha“, Universidad de Alcalá, Henares, Spain
- 2004 – International mailart and cartoon festival „Mailart“, Sofia, Bulgaria
- 2001 – VIII Muestra de humor grafico “Great inventions of humanity“, Universidad de Alcalá, Henares, Spain
- 1999 – Peace appeal Manga exhibition “Peace“ Hiroshima, Japan
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AWARDS AND HONORS:
1999
- 1st Prize – IV edition Acquaviva nei Fumetti (AP). Italy. Section of satire: Theme: “We and the moon”
- Special diplom – X edition Salon of Antiwar Cartoon Kragujevac, Yugoslavia
2000
- 1st Prize – XI edition Humourfest di Foligno (PG), Italy. Theme: “Jubilee 2000: Pilgrims in Rome”, II Classificated for “Topino d’oro” award
- 3rd Prize – I edition Calarasi Cartoonfest Romania. Theme: “Civilization of the water: Fish”
- Silver plate – XII edition La Cagnara di Dolo (VE), Italy. Theme: “The Italians at the wheel”
- Finalist – II edition The Golden Smile of Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Theme: “New communication”
- Mention – I edition Concurso Internacional de Humor Graficodi Rio Cuarto, Argentina
“Production rural and regional traditions”
2001
- Finalist – IV edition In Vino Veritas di Caldarola (MC), Italy. Humor section.
- Finalist – II edition Amazonas Humor, Comics and Animation Award of Manaus, Brazil. Section of illustration (cartoons, caricatura).
- Finalist – IV edition International Cartoon Biennial Cartoon Písek. Czech Republic. Theme: “Love for all time”
2002
- Stay – II edition International Caricature Forum of Dubai. United Arab Emirates. Theme: “Free”
- 1st Prize – VII edition Premio Mercosur Internacional Diogenes Taborda Buenos Aires. Argentina. Graphic monochrome humor section
- Mention – section „Free“
- 3rd Prize – XIII edition Eurohumor Biennale del Sorriso di Borgo San Dalmazzo (CN), Italy. Theme: “Faith. Third Millennium: God where are you?”
- Mention – Theme: “Snails. Europe at the pace of Euro”
- 1st Prize – I edition “Cinemalive 200!-200?” Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia
- Special Prize – I edition “World Against Drugs” Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia
2003
- 2nd Prize – XV edition La Cagnara di Dolo (VE), Italy. Theme: “Those thirty mammon”
- Special Prize – I edition Leng Mu China International Cartoon Competition of Nanjing City, China. Theme: “Free”
- 1st Prize – VIII edition International Cartoon Contest & Exhibition Haifa, Israel. Theme: “Music”
- Mention – VIII edition Premio Mercosur Internacional Diogenes Taborda Buenos Aires. Argentina. Section: Humor graphic monochromatic. Theme: “Free”
2004
- 2nd Prize ex aequo – II edition Concorso di Fumetto Circolo Culturale Larocca di Campi Bisenzio (FI), Italy. Theme: “Going on the street … comic education road”
- Mention – II edition FreeCartoonsWeb International Cartoonet Festival Shanghai, China. Theme: “Free”
- 1st Prize – III edition Premio SEA “L’Energia a Fumetti” di La Salle (AO), Italy. Theme: “Wood: a clean energy source”
- 3rd Prize – IX edition Premio Mercosur Internacional Diogenes Taborda Buenos Aires, Argentina. Section of illustration. Theme: “Free”.
- Finalist – Satyrycon 2004 International Exhibition Legnica, Poland. Theme: “Devil”
- 3rd Prize – XIV edition Eurohumor Biennale del Sorriso di Borgo San Dalmazzo (CN), Italy. Theme: “The Myth and Legend” .
- Selection Prize – I edition Seoul World Cartoon Contest Seoul. Corea del Sud. Theme: “Sex”
2005
- Mention – XII edition Bienal Internacional del Humor Ciudad de La Habana Cuba.
Generic humor section. Theme: “Free”.
- Merit signal – VII edition In Vino Veritas di Caldarola (MC). Italy. Section: Humorists DOC.
- 3rd Prize – IV edition Fiera Mondiale della Zanzara di Berra (FE). Italy. First Competition of Comics Theme: “Strip the mosquito”
- Mention – Bird 2005 International Art Award Beijing, China
- 2nd Prize – X edition Premio Mercosur Internacional Diogenes Taborda Buenos Aires. Argentina. Sezione humor grafico monocromo
- Mention – section of illustration. Theme: “Free”.
- Mention – XIV edition Daejeon Internationall Cartoon Contest Daejeon City-Seoul, South Corea. Theme: “Free”
- Mention – IV edition Water Civilization Cartoon Contest Tulcea, Romania
- Premio della Keizerlijke Commanderie – V edition Euro-Fruitcartoonale Sint-Truiden, Belgium. Theme: “Les Fruits de ‘Haspengouw’: una Fete!”
- Prize of Excellence – II edition Wine International Invitation Cartoon Exhibition Beijing, China
- Finalist – III edition Premio Novello di Codogno (LO), Italy. Theme: “Internet – the network”
2006
- 3rd Prize – III edition Concorso Nazionale di Vignette e Fumetti del portale www.Comodo.it. Cartoon section. Theme: “The condom is … Convenient!”
- Grand Prize – XII edition Golden Keg International Cartoon Competition Presov, Slovakia. Theme: “Bier”
- 2nd Prize – XVIII edition Jaka Bede… International Competition on Drawing Jedwabno, Poland. Section of illustration. Theme: “Woman”
- 1st Prize – V edition Fiera Mondiale della Zanzara di Berra (FE), Italy. Second Competition of Comics Theme: “Strip the mosquito”
- 2nd Prize – XI edition Premio Mercosur Internacional Diogenes Taborda Buenos Aires, Argentina. Section: Caricatura. Theme: “Free”
- 1st Prize – XVIII edition Olense Kartoenale Olen. Belgium. Theme: “Room with a view”
- Prize of Excellence – I edition Urziceni International Cartoon Competition Urziceni, Romania. Theme: “Europe, we love you!”
- Mentioned – XV edition Eurohumor Biennale del Sorrisodi Borgo San Dalmazzo (CN), Italy. Computer section. Theme: “School teacher of life?”
2007
- Mention – XV edition Daejeon International Cartoon Contest Daejeon City-Seoul. South Corea. Theme: “Tollerance”
- Honorable Prize – I edition “Red Man” International Cartoon Humour Competition Beijing, China. Theme: “Free”
- Mention – XVI edition Daejeon International Cartoon Contest Daejeon City-Seoul, South Corea. Theme: “Free”
- 3rd Prize – XII edition Premio Mercosur Internacional Diogenes Taborda Buenos Aires, Argentina. Monochrome graphic humor section. Theme: “Free”
2008
- Prize of Excellence – II edition “Red Man” International Cartoon Humour Competition Beijing, China. Theme: “Free”
- Selection Prize – I edition Master Cup International Cartoon and Illustration Biennial Beijing, China. Theme: “Butterflies and Fish”
- Finalist – I edition Premio Biennale Internazionale di Satira e Caricatura “Gabriele Galantara” di Montelupone (MC), Italy. Theme: “The Italian Constitution: 60, but look it?”
- Finalist – IV edition Festival SatirOffida Offida (AP), Italy. Theme: “She will be precarious”
- Finalist – I edition Villa Celimontana Jazz Smil Roma, Italy. Theme: “Jazz”
- 1st Prize – XV Biennale Internazionale di Caricatura Famija Varsleisa: “L’Arte dell’Umorismo nel Mondo” Vercelli, Italy. Theme: “Free”
- 2nd Prize & Mention – XIII edition Premio Mercosur Internacional Diogenes
Taborda Buenos Aires, Argentina. Monochrome graphic humor section. Theme: “Free”
2009
- Mention – XI edition Festival Internazionale di Humor Grafico Itinerante di Genzano di Roma, Italy. Theme: “Out of the Game”
- Finalist – 6° round del concorso La Caverna indetto dal quotidiano Il Foglio di Roma, Italy. Theme: “Afghanistan”
- Guest of Honour – XIV edition Premio Mercosur Internacional Diogenes Taborda Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Finalist – I edition Trasimeno Blues Cartoon Fest – Gabbiano Jonathan di Possignano (PG). Italy. Theme: “Blues”
- Mention – XVIII edition Daejeon International Cartoon Contest Daejeon City-Seoul, South Corea. Theme: “Customs & Costume”
2010
- Mention – X edition Tabriz International Cartoon Contest Tabriz, Iran. Theme: “Free”.
2011
- Selection Prize – I edition Gold Panda International Cartoon and Illustration Competition Beijing, China. Theme: “Free”
2012
- Mention – XX edition Daejeon International Cartoon Contest Daejeon City-Seoul, South Corea. Theme: “Orient+Occident>Convergence”
- Special mention – VI edition International Zagreb Car Cartoon Exhibition
Zagreb, Croatia. Theme: “Taxi Service & Public Transportation”
- Selection Prize – II edition Gold Panda International Cartoon and Illustration Competition Beijing, China. Theme: “Panda”
2013
- Mention – XXI edition Daejeon International Cartoon Contest Daejeon City-Seoul, South Corea. Theme: “New Eco City”
2014
- Special mention – VIII edition International Zagreb Car Cartoon Exhibition Zagreb, Croatia. Theme: “Oldtimers”
*****
There are only very few artists with such an original view of our world as Andrea Bersani, remarkable artist from Italy. Enjoy his unique and very valuable work of art.