Esa-sperare

“One should not exasperate, but rather hope. Exasperation is a rejection of hope. One may understand it — I would almost say it is natural — but that does not mean it should be accepted. Because it does not allow us to achieve the results that hope could instead produce.” (Stephane Hessel) 

Esa-sperare is a highly successful interpretation by artist Nicola Monticelli of the thought of writer Stephane Hessel — a call for citizens to remain active, to stay awake, and not to surrender to indifference. 

Monticelli could hardly have expressed this concept more effectively. Facing the large sculpture, we are almost struck by a sense of responsibility — even guilt — that shakes us from a kind of oblivion and urges us to put into action all the potential we possess. 

— Gianpaolo Klavora

Nicola Monticelli was born in Giulianova, in the province of Teramo, where he still lives and works. He completed his early studies at the Art High School of Teramo, graduating in 1990. 

He later moved to Milan, where in 1995 he graduated with top marks in Sculpture from the Academy of Fine Arts of Brera. In 1997 he chose to move to London, where he lived for eleven years, exhibiting in numerous art galleries.