Stefan Marx / Marble Works (grey)

“On 2 July 2023, I met Abram Bianchi at midday. He came to Paris with his friends from Tonini Editore for my autobiography book signing with Yvon Lambert in the afternoon. After the signing we all sat in a café and chatted, I asked Abram what he did during a normal day. He told me about his work, he is a professional marble worker and has a company that makes funeral art. I was attracted by the photos he showed me of his work, the lettering and drawings in marble plates, the daily confrontation with death and grief, the quality of the craftsmanship and the continuation of tradition and history. Quite different from the gravestones I knew from Germany. I asked Abram if I could drop by one day - Abram invited me to visit his workshop in Verdello near Bergamo.

In the months after Paris we wrote to each other from time to time, in spring 2024 I had planned to learn something new, a French language course in Berlin was cancelled and suddenly I had some time, I called Abram and asked if I could come over very soon. At BGY airport I was welcomed by Camilla, Andrea and Valentino and we went on a little tour of the city. In the early morning, Abram took me to the factory and I met his colleague Andrea. He gave me a tour of the company and to my delight I was given a large empty workplace. Over the next few days, Abram explained to me the various tools, engraving techniques, types of marble and painting techniques that I was able to use directly. In the first four days, I created 14 works on marble plates of different sizes. I was able to transfer my drawings and painting ideas to marble surprisingly well, and Abram took over some techniques such as sandblasting and CNC cutting the material. The first week was fascinating, I was impressed by the disciplined approach of Abram and Andrea, the concentration in the workshop, the demands and the beauty that the material marble confronted me with. In August we planned a second week in Verdello, during which additional works were completed.

A big thank you goes out to Abram and Andrea, Camilla, Valentino and Andrea and the whole Tonini family.

Stefan Marx, Berlin, October 2024”