Born in Adorno Micca, Italy, Gilberto Zorio emerged as a key participant in the Arte Povera movement during the late 1960s. His practice is defined by an interest in the physical and chemical properties of materials, often exploring the tension between stability and change.

Zorio frequently utilizes unconventional materials such as incandescent light tubes, steel, pitch, and chemical agents like acids to create sculptures and installations. His work often incorporates processes of evaporation and oxidation, serving as metaphors for human creativity and the release of energy.

His contributions to contemporary art remain centered on the exploration of precariousness and transformation. His installations often challenge the viewer's perception of physical space through the use of fragile and reactive elements.