Summer Moments With Malù dalla Piccola

Introducing SUMMER MOMENTS: Volume 3.

Showcasing the lives of four creatives, each with their own story to tell, discovering the essence of Summer and what it means and looks like to them.

In Volume 3, Paris-based visual artist Malù dalla Piccola is captured in her city by photographer Louise Meylan.

“Hi Malù please introduce yourself: ”

My name is Malù. I am an Italian artist and I live and work between Paris and New York. My work focuses on painting and installations. Recently I have been working from archival photographs to interrogate the intersections between femininity, family and dominant narratives of belonging.

“Tell us about your creative background and how you found yourself working as visual artist:”

I always knew I wanted to be an artist. I grew up seeing my mother making and renovating frescos in churches and palaces in Rome. I began painting in Moscow where I moved with my family as a child, training classically before I moved back to Italy. This gave me a good understanding of technique, which I developed in the rigorous visual arts school at Penninghen in Paris. I started exhibiting when I was still studying in 2017 and now I am working on my next exhibition at Perrotin in Paris in July.

“Your studio looks like a creative sanctuary, tell us about this space and what time in the studio looks like:”

I just moved into this studio a year ago. It has great windows with an incredible northern light which is perfect for painting because it's more neutral than an east or west-facing window. Unfortunately, in the summer it gets too hot and it is impossible to work there. Every day is different depending on the projects I’m working on. Sometimes I am filling vats full of resin and at others, I am mixing pigments using materials like dragons’ blood resin, which I recently collected on a trip to the Yemeni island of Socotra.

“What is something that feels unique to, or quintessentially Parisian when Summer hits?”

When summer arrives Parisians make a dash for the terraces. You’ll find them there, a glass of wine, a book and a cigarette in their hands.

“Where do you go, or what do you do, to feel inspired within the city?”

I walk a lot. Paris is a small city, and when I have time I walk to my appointments. The architecture, the people, and anything can be inspiring. I particularly like to be on the bridges or walk along the Seine. There are also always beautifully curated exhibitions to see.

“What is your favourite thing about living in Paris, your favourite Museums you visit and your favourite restaurants or cafés to dine al fresco in the Summer?”

Favourite thing about living in Paris: I grew up moving every few years from city to city. Paris feels like home, it’s the place I have lived in the longest. I love how inspiring and beautiful the city is.

Favourite Museums: Musée Bourdelle, where I took the pictures for Faithfull, is a magical place. Antoine Bourdelle trained in Rodin’s workshop. The museum was under renovation for 2 years and just reopened. There are beautiful gardens and studios, exhibitions and the majestic sculptures of Bourdelle. I like to do a tour of the Galleries depending on the exhibitions and artists showing. My friend Bianca’s gallery, Sainte Anne, has a very interesting program, as well as Pal Project, Galerie Sultana, Sans Titre or Ketabi Bourdet. They show young and talented artists. And among the more established galleries I love Perrotin, Galleria Continua, David Zwirner and Thaddeus Ropac.

Favourite Restaurants: I’m Italian, and Al Fresco means “In a cool place”. We would say “cenare nel dehors”! But yes—Café de La Croix Rouge or Café de la Marie in the 6eme are cosy spots for a coffee. Chez Camille in Montmartre for a drink. Le récamier for a soufflet lunch and l’entrecôte Montparnasse is always a classic for a cosy dinner, or le petit célestin for a fun dinner.

“What feelings or things evoke a sense of Summer to you?”

Spaghetti con le vongole, the smell of the sea, sunburned shoulders, the sound of crickets and hay bails.