The Florence Biennale, a renowned international art exhibit, recently awarded first-place recognition in the mixed media category to Marcio Decker, Decker Fine Arts and co-owner of Truckee, Calif. based Aspen Leaf Interiors. Decker was the only artist representing the U.S. to be recognized.

The Biennale is a contemporary art exhibit held every other year in Florence, Italy, that gathers hundreds of artists from all over the world to display their works. The finalists whose works were on exhibit and competing for Best of Show accolades were selected from over 3,000 nominated and reviewed artists; their works were hosted in the Spadolini Pavilion of the historic Fortezza da Basso in Florence for 10 days.

Begun in 1997, the Biennale promotes cross-cultural dialogue through art as an independent showcase for contemporary art. An international jury composed of critics, museum directors and scholars selects winners in a variety of art categories. Themed eARTh – Creativity & Sustainability, the XI Florence Biennale was held from Oct. 6-15 and hosted 462 artists from 70 countries.

Decker’s piece, “Vanishing Mutualism,” was awarded first place in the mixed media category. The work is a triptych, with three panels of collages that incorporates acrylic paint and photographs, backlit by LED lights. The panels depict abstracted selfies of the artist and his friends that become more flat and monochromatic with each successive panel, with the final panel depicting a dissipating, barren desert-like environment, suggesting a future void of the necessary harmony between man and nature.

“The piece is inspired by the pact that should exist between humans and nature,” said Decker. “It poses the question, ‘can we go back to where we were before?’”

"It is a human work pretending to be digital in order to catch the eye of the viewer and build a connection," explained Emanuela Catalano, an Italian art critic and historian who viewed the piece.

In addition to his painting and mixed media artwork, Decker is the co-founder of acclaimed interior design company, Aspen Leaf Interiors, based in Truckee, Calif. His art and design work “walk together,” as he says, often influencing and building upon each other. Decker’s works of art are sometimes even purchased by home owners for whom he is designing their home. 

The Brazilian-born artist and interior designer studied fine arts in Brazil and Colombia before moving to the Reno/Tahoe area in 2000 and ultimately attending the Academy of Art in San Francisco where he received a master’s degree in interior architecture and design. Decker enjoys abstract painting, curating artworks for private collections and shows, as well as spending time at Lake Tahoe with his family and two Yorkshire Terriers.

Visit Decker Fine Arts for more information on his art or Aspen Leaf Interiors for details about his interior design firm.