NYC Culture Club is pleased to present “ITALIANI,” a solo exhibition by Italian-American artist Salvatore Catalano, curated by Clayton Calvert, organized in collaboration with ITSLIQUID Group and with the support of Goldman Sachs Gives, scheduled from October 1 to 30, 2025 at Palazzo Velli, in the heart of Trastevere in Rome.
Through a series of finely detailed portraits, Catalano celebrates with ITALIANI the stories and legacies of figures from the Bel Paese whose commitment to art, science, politics, and literature continues to inspire the world today. From great masters such as Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael to icons of music and cinema such as Verdi, Pavarotti, Bocelli, Sophia Loren, and Federico Fellini; from literary voices such as Italo Calvino and Pirandello to leading figures in science and politics such as Margherita Hack, Rita Levi Montalcini, Samantha Cristoforetti, and Giorgia Meloni.
The deep connection between the artist and her Italian origins is the basis from which the exhibition project was born. After years of studying Italian literature and history, Catalano highlighted an imbalance in the iconographic representation of its protagonists—particularly women, who are often left on the margins of official narratives. Born with the intention of highlighting these forgotten female figures, ITALIANI has gradually expanded to become a choral tribute to those who, regardless of gender, embody the creative, tenacious, and visionary spirit of Italy.
Through a technique that blends classical balance with contemporary sensibility, the artist brings to life a gallery of portraits that includes scientists, politicians, entrepreneurs, humanitarians, artists, and writers. The rhythmic strokes, the refined play of light and shadow, and the psychological depth with which Catalano portrays his subjects convey stories of courage, innovation, and cultural pride. Stories that help build a more inclusive and richer vision of Italian identity.
With ITALIANI, Salvatore Catalano invites the viewer to reflect on how individual and collective memory can be preserved through portraiture, not only as a document, but as a celebration. His works mirror the past and the present, reminding us that history also belongs to those who are only now finally being recognized and seen.
Opening
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
Palazzo Velli, Piazza S. Egidio 9, Rome
Opening hours
Tuesday – Sunday | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
SALVATORE CATALANO – BIOGRAPHY
Salvatore Catalano is an American artist, illustrator, and educator who has been active in the field of visual communication for decades. His works, which have appeared on media ranging from postage stamps to large-format advertisements, are held in numerous private and corporate collections. He has collaborated with major organizations and companies, including the United Nations, ABC, CBS, NBC, the Smithsonian Museum, Pfizer, Coca-Cola, and Dell. His illustrations have been published in newspapers such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, and Reader’s Digest, as well as in more than thirty children’s books. Catalano has also taught at the university level in both New York and Florence. Recognized for the emotional depth of his portraits, he has created over four hundred works depicting prominent figures from the cultural, scientific, literary, and civic worlds. His art, which combines classical technique and contemporary sensibility, is a constant reflection on identity, memory, and cultural heritage.
ABOUT CLAYTON CALVERT
Clayton Calvert is a multifaceted artist whose creativity ranges from painting to sculpture, video to installations, alongside his work as a curator. He is currently artist-in-residence at The Works Trade Center in New York. His training saw him study with exceptional masters: the renowned painters Carlo Maria Mariani and John Foote, and the esteemed sculptor Thomas Lollar. His works have been exhibited in galleries around the world, enriching numerous private and corporate collections. Calvert recently curated the exhibition Carlo Maria Mariani. Art Beyond Time, held in 2024 at the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti in Florence.
