Italy , 1974. Work and live between Bordighera (Italy) and Paris
www.rebeccaballestra.com

The work of Maria Rebecca Ballestra is based on the reprocessing and reinterpretation of social, political and environmental themes and on a synthesis of ethno-cultural codes, learned during several artist residencies program all around the world (2003 at Europos Parkas (Lithuania), 2005 at Taipei Artist Village (Taiwan), 2006 at Gozo Contemporary (Malta), 2008 at CEAC (China) and at Open Art (Greece), 2009 at Sowing Seeds (india)

The journey is the main source of inspiration for the artist: a meditation on history, traditions and ancient customs of different countries is an instrument to escape the Eurocentric perspective and to offer to the public a new points of active observation and criticism.

The works of Maria Rebecca Ballestra often arise as a project site and context specific, using the space that welcomes them to enhance their communicative and emotional aspects. Her works are inspired by strong, complex and contemporary subjects: the denunciation of preventive detention (Prisoner, made to Agora, Bordighera, 2005), the illegal trafficking of children and organs (Cannibalism, Castello Sforzesco, Milan 2005 ), the commerce of the body (Post Mortem Human Resources, Taiwan 2005), the consumption of natural resources and the Earth Overshoot Day (The Weight of the Human Being, Loggia dei Mercanti, Genoa 2007), etc..

Her last production, is oriented toward the perception of the future in relation to climate change and multiple human interventions in the natural environment and sense of insecurity and anxiety that characterizes this new millennium.
Recent Own Exhibition:
2011

Changing Perspective, series of own exhibitions, installations and site specific projects curated by Paola Valenti in collaboration with Alessandra Piatti e Daniela Legotta (Genoa – Italy), included:

Post Human Garden – Contemporary Art Museum Villa Croce

Eyes on Asia – Museum of the Cultures of the worlds

The Weight of the Human Being, Sala Dogana Ducale Palace

The Future is near. The Future is now! UnimediaModern Gallery

There’s plenty of room at the botton, Genoa Port Center

2010

The Future is near. The future is now! Kernot Art Gallery (Paris – France) curated by Luca Bochicchi