Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto has been nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. The 91-year-old artist, a pivotal figure in Arte Povera, was nominated for his belief in art as an essential tool for peace. The artist positions art as a catalyst for significant social and environmental consciousness. First awarded in 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize will celebrate its laureates in a ceremony on December 10th, commemorating Swiss inventor Alfred Nobel’s death.
“I do not see my nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize as a personal recognition for what I have done so far, but as a commitment to future work,” said Pistoletto. “Art must take on a leading role in driving a radical transformation that fosters a shared and responsible concept of humanity, promoting peace as a self-certified expression of intelligence. I do not know if we will ever achieve peace, but simply working towards it already makes me feel better.”
Born in Biella, Italy in 1933, Pistoletto first rose to international prominence in 1962 with his “Mirror Paintings” series. Around this time, the artist began working with legendary Romanian American dealer Ileana Sonnabend, where he began developing perhaps his earliest work associated with the Arte Povera movement: the “Oggetti in meno” (“Minus Objects”) sculptures. The artist presented his first solo exhibition in the United States at the Walker Art Center in 1966 and mounted a presentation at the Biennale de São Paulo in 1967.
Throughout his career, Pistoletto has been a staunch advocate for collaboration among artists. He champions a vision called the “Third Paradise,” which sees peace as emerging from social and human collaboration. This philosophy highlights art’s ability to bridge societal divides and build global unity. In the 1990s, he founded Cittadellarte in his hometown, an initiative that integrates art into various social sectors to drive responsible change.
“For me, the culture of peace is present in all artistic activities, always connected to every aspect of social life, which I have personally developed—from the ‘Mirror Paintings’ to my work at the Vienna Academy, up to the foundation of Cittadellarte,” said Pistoletto. “It is not necessary to use the word ‘peace’ in every project, but rather to act in a way that genuinely achieves it, by working towards continuous, peaceful progress, expanding globally across all areas of society.”
New York–based gallery Lévy Gorvy Dayan is currently showing a major solo exhibition of the artist titled “To Step Beyond,” which is on view through March 29th. One of his representing galleries, GALLERIA CONTINUA, has staged exhibitions of his work in Paris, Beijing, São Paulo, Rome, San Gimignano, Dubai, and Havana in 2023 and 2024. Other recent Pistoletto shows have been held at Robilant+Voena in 2024, Castello di Rivoli in 2023, and Simon Lee Gallery in 2022.
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