dipingevi

Dipingevi is a contemporary art project and online archive focused on self-portrait painting. Initiated in 2015 by a group of Italian artists in Turin and Rome, it functions as a collaborative platform for painters to explore identity, memory, and technique through portraiture. The name derives from the Italian verb dipingere, with the form dipingevi intended to evoke painting as a continuous practice rather than a single gesture.

Organization and activities: It operates through annual exhibitions, open-call residencies, and a digital archive that stores images, notes on process, and installation contexts. Participating artists submit self-portraits across media, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, drawing, and mixed media; works are cataloged by themes such as vulnerability, performance, and memory.

History and development: The project expanded from local shows to a transnational network, hosting workshops, critique sessions, and collaboration with art schools. It publishes occasional catalogs and online essays that discuss technique, representation, and the social value of self-portraiture.

Reception and impact: Dipingevi is recognized for its inclusive approach, inviting artists at different career stages and emphasizing process-oriented documentation. Critics note its bridging of traditional painting with digital archiving and public participation—but some argue that the emphasis on self-portrait can become repetitive or self-referential.

See also: Self-portrait, Italian art movements, art collectives, digital archiving in the arts.