Bodies, sweat, the direct gaze; strength, courage, doubt; the visual and emotional alphabet of Piero Pompilis work is characterized by intensely striking images. For 15 years, the artist photographed with passion the world of boxing, which he frequented in Rome and Naples, in the gyms of the borgata, and in the catacombs where even the ancient gladiators prepared for their fights. The source of this fascination was a childhood spent in the Borghesiana (a local community in Rome), where he was born in 1967. The boxers were part of the landscape, and Pompili developed a deep attachment to these epic heroes who fought every day in his city. Gladiatori is an homage to this stunning photographer.

"Piero Pompili lives and works in Rome, where he was born in 1967. His most recent exhibitions: 1994 Cara Roma (Galleria Fiorentini, Rome) 2000 C'eravemo tutti (Galleria Nuova Pesa, Rome, Galleria Comunale, Bari) Romaperta 2002 (Festival internazionale fotografia, Terme di Diocletian, Rome) 2002 Sotto il cielo di Tor Bella Monaca (Festival internazionale fotografia Rome) 2003 Palestra (Sala delle Colonne, National Gallery of Modern Art, Rome) 2004 Gladiatori (Gallery Ferranti, Rome) His works have been published among others in Vogue Homme International, Moda, Il Manifesto, La Repubblica, Ring Box, Sport Week, La Repubblica delle Donne, Nuovi Argomenti. His work was also praised by Peter Weiermair (former director of the Museum of Modern Art in Bologna); Lorenzo Canova Antonio Franchini; Lanfranco Colombo."