In this vibrant studio visit, we sit down with Mattia Sugamiele, a Sicilian-born, Milan-based artist whose playful, multi-textured work blurs the line between the digital and physical worlds. Known for his explosive use of color, pillows, textures, and unexpected materials, Mattia explores what it means to be human in an increasingly hybrid reality.
We talk about everything—from his use of AI-generated compositions and Photoshop as canvas, to his thoughts on NFTs, touchable art, youth culture, and the importance of imagination. We also reflect on how the pandemic, climate change, and the concept of a “New Big Bang” shape his creative process.
🧵 In this episode, we discuss:
Why Photoshop and AI are part of Mattia’s painting process
How he prints digital compositions on cotton and transforms them using acrylic, airbrush, spray, and physical objects
His philosophy on touchable art: “Digital needs to become tangible”
The Big Bang, recycled materials, and how destruction can spark joyful creation
What art can do for a generation growing up online—and why play, curiosity, and fun are radical forms of connection
🎨 Follow Matias and explore his work:
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/mattiasmiele/
💬 “You can touch it if you want” — Mattias invites us to connect with the digital through physical experience. His work is filled with fluff, nostalgia, softness, and color. It’s joyful, curious, and sneakily philosophical.
📸 Bonus Content & Artist Highlights
Join us on Patreon for behind-the-scenes images from the studio, new project sneak peeks, and bonus commentary.
🎓 Curator’s Cut Masterclass
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🎧 Listen & Follow
Spotify: Curator’s Cut
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👥 Connect with the Hosts
@cwuapah — Our nonprofit for art, culture, and creative diplomacy
April in Milan is not for the faint of heart—and in this episode, we unpack why. Join Maya and Julian as they share a personal, honest, and unscripted recap of the most vibrant cultural month of the year: Milan Art Week, MEGA Art Fair, Miart, MIA Photo Fair, and Milan Design Week all happened within weeks—and we were everywhere.
From gallery openings with live music and DJ sets, to civic exhibitions inside historical buildings, to immersive design environments and groundbreaking art fairs, this episode captures what stood out—and why.
🖼️ Exhibitions We Loved
Salvatore Garau – Corpo non Corpo at Spazio Roseto→ [3:34] Opening night vibes, live music, immersive setup
(Curated by Milo Goj, text by Lóránd Hegyi | Until May 11)
Raffaello Bassotto – Novecento at Officina Antiquaria→ Curated by our friend Antonella Mazza, blending 20th-century painting and design objects in a unique vintage showroom setting (Until May 23)
Per un’arte responsabile at Palazzo Piacentini (INPS HQ)→ Civic-oriented exhibition inside Milan’s former public administration building
Marinella Senatore – Alliance des Corps at LCA Studio Legale→ A powerful blend of art and legal space with a public voice
Gian Maria Tosatti – Paradiso by Lia Rumma Gallery→ A haunting, under-construction-style immersive installation inside Palazzo Reale
Nico Vascellari – Pastorale at Palazzo Reale, Sala delle Cariatidi→ Soil, sound, and growth—a living installation in a historic ruin
There Is No Place Like Home at CIRCOLO by Saikalis Bay Foundation
(Curated by Cloe Piccoli)→ 19th-century piano nobile turned contemporary art salonFeaturing: Alessandro Agudio, Antonio Allevi, Fabio Cherstich, Caterina De Nicola, Elisabetta Laszlo, Beatrice Marchi, Emanuele Marcuccio, NM3, Gianni Pettena, Markus Schinwald, Davide Stucchi, Sabrina Zanolini
L’Appartamento by Artemest – artemest.com→ Your Milan Design Week favorite! A curated home of collectible design with artful soul. Shoutout to Angela Cariano for the warm welcome.
🎨 Art Fairs in Focus
MIA Photo Fair – miafair.it(March 20–23 | Superstudio Più)159 exhibitors with a strong focus on archival photography, AI, and conceptual work
Notables: Esther Woerdehoff (Paris), Roya Khadjavi (NYC), Galerie Hilger (Vienna), and strong Latin American representation from friends like Santiago Reyes
Miart 2025 – miart.it
(April 4–6 | Preview April 3)→ [11:28] 179 galleries from 30 countries
Standouts include: Sadie Coles HQ, Victoria Miro, Esther Schipper, Ben Brown Fine Arts, and The Breeder
Bonus shoutout to the EMERGENT and PORTAL sections
MEGA Art Fair – megaartfair.com(April 2–6 | Via Orobia 26)No booths. Just curated experiences. Our favorite of the month.
Galleries we loved: Monti8 (Rome), Frittelli Arte Contemporanea, and Michela Rizzo
🛋️ Milan Design Week – milanodesignweek.org
Theme: Connected WorldsHighlights:
“Orizzonti” by Zanellato/Bortotto at Brera Design Apartment
“Connected Scenarios” by Valcucine
DENZA immersive experience in Brera
🧠 Reflections & Real Talk
Milan in April = No time to breathe + a cultural overload worth experiencing
Trends we noticed: materiality, silence, introspection, ritual
The most refreshing events broke from the over-commercial feel and brought intimacy, sincerity, and experimentation back to the forefront
📸 Join Our Curator’s Community
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🎓 Master the Art WorldTake our Curator’s Cut Masterclass on Udemy→ DM us on Instagram for special pricing!
🎧 Listen & Follow Us
YouTube: @curatorscut
Instagram: @curatorscut
Website: www.curatorscut.com
👥 Connect with the Hosts
@cwuapah — Our nonprofit for cultural diplomacy and emerging talent
In this episode of Curator’s Cut, we sit down with the remarkable Nuki Sigora—a self-taught mixed media artist known for her poetic use of natural elements like leaves, branches, and gold. With a background in arts and philosophy, and a previous career as a gallery director and art concept developer for boutique hotels, Nuki brings a unique perspective on creativity, preservation, and materiality in contemporary art.
Born in Kibbutz Givat Brenner, Israel, and now based in Milan, Nuki shares her journey from curating exhibitions to creating powerful installations that blend fragility and permanence. Her work, inspired by nature and artists like Damien Hirst, explores themes of memory, identity, and environmental urgency. You’ll hear about her large-scale projects, her creative process walking through nature, and her symbolic use of gold—“the only thing that survives fire.”
✨ Highlights from the episode:
-Nuki’s transition from gallery director to full-time artist
-Her botanical collages and use of gold as a symbol of legacy
-The creative risks and rewards of working with delicate natural materials
-Her advice for emerging artists and thoughts on artistic bravery
-A sneak peek at her upcoming collaborative installation project in Paris
🖼️ Discover more about Nuki Sigora’s work:
Follow her on Instagram @nukisigora
Explore her available artworks on https://www.saatchiart.com/nuki
🎧 Don’t forget to:
Subscribe to Curator’s Cut on all the platforms for more insider conversations with artists, curators, and advisors
Follow us on Instagram @curatorscut
Stay connected with co-hosts @mayagregoart and @jjuliank
Check out the non-profit platform @cwuapah, supporting art and culture
🎓 Bonus: Our Curator’s Cut Masterclass is now live on Udemy!
https://www.udemy.com/course/understandingtheartmarket/
Text us for special prices and learn how the art world works from the inside—ideal for new collectors, art lovers, and creatives who want to deepen their understanding of curating, collecting, and navigating the contemporary art market.
Dive deep into the world of art curation and advisory with Jemma Elliott-Israelson @jemmimap on this episode of "Curator's Cut." Based in Milan, Jemma brings a wealth of experience from her extensive career spanning prestigious roles from Christie's to advising private collectors. In our engaging conversation, Jemma shares her journey from studying art history to founding Israelson Art Advisory @israelsonartadvisory, illuminating how she navigates the complexities of postwar and contemporary art.
Explore the intricate balance between art curation and investment as Jemma discusses her approach to building meaningful art collections that resonate both personally and financially with collectors. Discover the unique challenges and triumphs of curating exhibitions like "Milk & Cookies," which delves into themes of nostalgia and interior life through innovative displays at Tube Culture Hall in Milan.
Highlights of the episode include:
Path to Art Advisory: From academic beginnings to leading her own firm, how Jemma's career reflects her passion for art's cultural and historical significance.
Curatorial Philosophy: Insights into her dual role as an advisor and curator, and how these intersect to shape unique art experiences.
Market Trends: Jemma’s take on emerging trends in the art market, including the rise of digital and AI-driven art.
Advice for Collectors: Expert tips for newcomers on navigating the art world with confidence and building a collection that truly tells a story.
Tune in to uncover the layers of art advisory and curation with one of Milan’s most influential figures in the art world. Jemma's vision and expertise offer invaluable perspectives for anyone interested in the dynamics of contemporary art.
Don’t forget to follow us on Spotify and subscribe to our channel for more insightful episodes from the forefront of the art world. Engage with us on social media @curatorscut and @jjuliank & @mayagregoart to continue the conversation and share your thoughts on today’s topics!
Join us for the inaugural episode of "Curator's Cut," where we embark on a fascinating journey through the art world, highlighted by our Van Gogh Edition. Starting with the "Rodin and Dance" exhibition at MUDEC in Milan, we draw connections to the intense and introspective "Vincent Van Gogh: The Letters" at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Explore must-see exhibitions, delve into Van Gogh’s deeply personal correspondence with his brother Theo, and discover much more.
In this episode, we also highlight:
Tune in to join the conversation, explore new perspectives, and immerse yourself in the world of art in exciting new ways! Engage with us on social media and through our podcast as we uncover the stories and insights that make art truly come alive.
Follow us on our social media channels curatorscut and @jjuliank & @mayagregoart and subscribe to our podcast for the latest episodes and exclusive content. Don’t miss a moment of "Curator’s Cut" – your gateway to the art world.