Monegasque artist Philippe Pastor has inaugurated his latest exhibition, North Pole, in Milan, presenting works that explore the symbolism of ice, cold and polar regions threatened by climate change in a former industrial hangar near the Fondazione Prada.

The 2,000 square metre space at Robilant + Voena gallery showcases ten large-scale paintings that blend aesthetic beauty with environmental messaging, continuing Pastor’s 35-year commitment to raising awareness about ecological issues through art. The exhibition, hosted by one of Milan’s most prestigious galleries, demonstrates the artist’s ability to unite technical mastery with the transmission of urgent environmental messages.

Defending life through aesthetics

Pastor, who works from a 1,700 square metre studio in Spain, creates four-by-four-metre canvases from which he later extracts the compositions he considers most significant. His approach is guided by a search for truth through raw materials, eschewing artificial embellishments in favour of natural pigments, sometimes sourced from the Atlas Mountains.

“Every time Philippe Pastor begins a new series, he tackles a new environmental emergency,” explains Caroline Corbetta, curator of the exhibition. “Whether it’s the melting of the North Pole or ocean pollution, he constantly reminds us of the problems we humans are causing to our planet.”

The artist himself describes his philosophy simply: “What glitters is not authentic.” This conviction drives his work towards materials and themes that reflect genuine ecological concerns rather than superficial beauty.

Monaco roots meet global environmental commitment

Despite his international career, Pastor maintains strong connections to his homeland. “Monaco is above all my country, my roots, where I was born, but I realise that my life can only be in nature. In the middle of forests, in the wind. I need that connection to nature,” he says.

Since the beginning of his career, environmental protection has been the central theme of his artistic practice. His emblematic exhibition “The Burned Trees” left a lasting impression, offering a poetic yet poignant reflection on the fragility of natural ecosystems. This commitment aligns with Monaco’s own ecological initiatives, with Pastor serving as a cultural ambassador carrying the Principality’s values onto the international stage.

Immediate connection with Milanese gallery

Edmondo di Robilant, co-owner of the gallery hosting the exhibition, describes an immediate connection with Pastor’s work. “His sensitivity to these challenges, his use of natural pigments and his ability to create canvases that reflect the upheavals of our era make him an artist profoundly attuned to the contemporary world,” di Robilant notes. “His pictorial language touches the public because it speaks directly to the shifting atmosphere of the 21st century.”

The Milan exhibition showcases works of great gestural intensity, where environmental messaging blends with striking visual impact. Some pieces incorporate natural elements such as oak leaves, chosen for their ability to withstand the passage of time, creating a dialogue between artistic permanence and ecological fragility.

Art as vehicle for awareness

Pastor views his paintings as more than aesthetic objects. “My paintings are the medium through which the message is communicated,” he states. “There is an entire life in these paintings, a philosophy that emerges. That’s what interests me. Painting is an obsession. One must not try to do well, but do as one feels it must be done.”

This philosophy has earned Pastor recognition in prestigious international collections and established his position among the most followed contemporary artists. His works circulate across global markets, appealing to audiences drawn both to the singular aesthetic of his paintings and to the depth of his environmental commitments.

The “North Pole” exhibition represents a new chapter in Pastor’s journey, confirming the coherence and strength of his approach. By transforming ecological urgency into powerful visual statements, he creates spaces for dialogue between art collectors, environmental advocates and the general public, united around a shared concern for the planet’s future.

The exhibition remains open to the public in Milan, offering visitors an opportunity to experience how monumental art can serve as an environmental messenger, bridging aesthetic excellence with vital ecological awareness.

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Photos credit: Philippe Pastor Studio