GIOVANNI GARIBOLDI
Giovanni Gariboldi (b. 1908 – d. Milan, 1971) was a designer and sculptor. After obtaining his diploma at the Artistic Lyceum of the Brera Academy in Milan, he became a member of the faculty of Architecture. In 1926, he was hired by Giò Ponti as a modeling apprentice at Richard-Ginori. He left academia in 1933 to devote himself full-time to ceramics and sculpture. That same year, Richard-Ginori presented some of the artist's creations, adorned with impressionist-inspired naturalistic motifs (made at the Milanese Ginori San Cristoforo plant), at the V Triennale di Milano which were enthusiastically reviewed by Ponti in his magazine of Domus architecture. Giò Ponti remained a steadfast influence in Giovanni Gariboldi’s career. Although initially inspired by Ponti, Gariboldi soon broke away to form his own independent style characterized by a tireless and parallel study of shape and technique. Typical of his approach was his close association with the skilled workers; he searched for, studied and evaluated new techniques and, in particular, expertly calculated their effect on shape. He believed that any revolution involving society and the art of the table should not be brought about by an “aesthetic coup d’état”, but by continuous and ferociously consistent work despite the lightness of the final look.
In 1937 some ceramics and pottery by Giovanni Gariboldi enjoyed great success at the Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Paris where they were awarded a gold medal. In 1946 he was entrusted with the artistic direction of all the Richard-Ginori plants, a position he held until the day he died. In 1954 he was awarded the Compasso d'oro for his Colonna dinner service; a powerful icon, and sign of a society that was opening up to a new, more modern world. In 1957 he was entrusted with the coordination of the ceramic section of the 11th edition of the Milan Triennale. In 1967 he was awarded a gold medal at the XXV International Art Ceramics Competition in Faenza.
