NYC Culture Club and Palazzo Velli Expo are 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 for October 1–30, 2025, at Palazzo Velli, in the heart of Trastevere, Rome.

Through a series of finely detailed portraits, Catalano celebrates with ITALIANI the stories and legacies of Italian figures whose commitment to art, science, politics, and literature continues to inspire the world today. From great masters like Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael to icons of music and cinema like Verdi, Pavarotti, Bocelli, Sophia Loren, and Federico Fellini; from literary figures like Italo Calvino and Pirandello to leading figures in science and politics like Margherita Hack, Rita Levi Montalcini, Samantha Cristoforetti, and Giorgia Meloni.

The artist's deep connection to her Italian roots is the foundation of the exhibition project. After years of studying Italian literature and history, Catalano highlighted an imbalance in the iconographic representation of its protagonists—particularly women, who are often marginalized in official narratives. Born with the intention of highlighting these forgotten female figures, ITALIANI has gradually expanded to become a choral tribute to those who, beyond gender, embody Italy's creative, tenacious, and visionary spirit.

Through a technique that blends classical balance with a contemporary sensibility, the artist creates a gallery of portraits that includes scientists, politicians, entrepreneurs, artists, and writers. The rhythmic strokes, the refined interplay of light and shadow, and the psychological depth with which Catalano portrays his subjects convey stories of courage, innovation, and cultural pride. These stories help build a more inclusive and rich 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 reflect the past and the present, reminding us that history also belongs to those who, only now, are finally being recognized and seen.