A Monegasque artist of international renown, Philippe Pastor has established himself as one of the most captivating creators on the contemporary art scene. The singularity of his style has made him a recognized cultural ambassador, with works that cross borders while carrying the colors of the Principality. A visionary painter and sculptor, he fascinates through a universe that challenges the conventions of environmental art. Pastor has chosen Milan and the gallery Robilant + Voena to present his latest exhibition, “North Pole,” in both a prestigious gallery and a former industrial hangar near the Fondazione Prada. This 2,000 m² space, open to the public, resonates with the raw materiality of his canvases.
Renowned for its expressive force, his work is guided by humanist values. An artist for more than 35 years, he has devoted his professional life to causes that matter deeply, shaping a universe marked by a powerful aesthetic vision and a constant commitment to raising awareness about contemporary environmental and societal issues. “What glitters is not authentic,” he confides, a philosophy that leads him to seek truth through raw materials. In his 1,700 m² studio in Spain, Pastor creates four-by-four-meter canvases from which he later extracts the compositions he finds most significant. Curator Caroline Corbetta explains: “Every time Philippe Pastor begins a new series, he tackles a new environmental emergency. 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.”
Since the beginning of his career, protecting the environment has been the central theme of his artistic practice. “Monaco is above all my country, my roots, where I was born… but I realize that my life can only be in nature. In the middle of forests, in the wind… I need that connection to nature,” he says. His emblematic exhibition “The Burned Trees” offered a poetic reflection on the fragility of natural ecosystems. This desire to defend the planet aligns with Monaco’s own ecological commitments, and through his works, Pastor conveys a universal message: the urgent need to preserve life.
His new exhibition “North Pole,” inaugurated in Milan, explores the symbolism of ice, cold, and polar regions threatened by climate change. Co-owner of the gallery, Edmondo di Robilant, explains: “The connection with Philippe was immediate; his work resonates deeply with today’s major issues. His sensitivity to these challenges, his use of natural pigments - sometimes sourced in the Atlas Mountains - and his ability to create canvases that reflect the upheavals of our era make him an artist profoundly attuned to the contemporary world. His pictorial language touches the public because it speaks directly to the shifting atmosphere of the 21st century.” The nearby 2,000 m² industrial hangar offers an extended selection of ten paintings, revealing a coherent, powerful, and sensitive universe that unites aesthetic beauty, technical mastery, and essential values. His canvases, already present in prestigious international collections, demonstrate that a vital message can meet artistic excellence and touch consciences across borders.
“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,” Pastor reflects. In Milan, his works display great gestural intensity, blending environmental urgency with striking visual beauty. Some pieces incorporate natural elements such as oak leaves, capable of withstanding the passage of time.
Today, Philippe Pastor enjoys a strong international presence. His works circulate across global markets and appeal to a wide audience drawn to both the singular aesthetic of his creations and the depth of his environmental engagement. He sculpts, assembles, and transforms natural components to establish a powerful dialogue between humanity and ecological urgency. Engaged and celebrated, he stands as a cultural ambassador whose talent and convictions help project the Principality’s artistic identity onto the world stage. Each work asserts that art can and must serve as a vehicle for awareness. With “North Pole,” Pastor confirms the coherence and strength of his approach, opening a new chapter in his artistic journey. “My paintings are the medium through which the message is communicated,” he affirms, making each exhibition a meeting point between artistic expression and environmental concern, uniting collectors, environmental advocates, and the public around a shared question: the future of our planet.
Photo credits: Philippe Pastor Studio