Mimmo Rotella was born in Catanzaro, Italy in 1918. He started his career as an abstract painter but he soon realised that there could be nothing innovative could happen in the realm of art anymore. Visiting the United States he discovered the art of Pollock, Rothko and Twombly but soon came back to Europe where he joined the group of the French Nouveaux Réalistes along with Klein, Arman, and Tanguely. After a long period of crises during which he could not find any new inspiration he discovered the technique of décollage for which he employed torn advertising posters. From the 1960s through to the end of his career in early 2000 he was devoted to the same technique and his very recognisable style ensured him the consensus of a vast audience.