Education

Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma / Masters Degree in Fine Arts 1985

Documentary directing and Directing for TV, Film and Theatre courses / International Forum Institute / Rome  1987-1989

Photography, Santa Monica College / S.M., California 1995-1997

UCLA extension, Entertainment studies. Directing courses 2003-2004

Visual artist, art director, filmmaker, and photographer, Luigia Martelloni grew up in Rome, where she studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti.  She graduated cum laude.

Her master’s thesis was “Primitive Influences and Affinities: Primitivismo in the History of the Avant-Garde.” Her art history professor and art critic Lorenza Trucchi curated her first solo exhibition in Rome.

Upon completion of her master’s degree, Ms. Martelloni came to America to begin an ambitious yearlong project in which she traveled around the United States and Central America to study the art and the culture of the Americas.  After this period she began to exhibit her work in New York as well as Rome.  Her paintings, photographs, and installations were the result of her journey.  The themes of traveling, nature and symbols are essential aspects of Ms. Martelloni’s art.  Ms. Martelloni continues to exhibit in Europe and in the USA.

She also works in production design, concept work, and research for film, TV, and theater, having worked on Godfather III with Francis Ford Coppola and Dean Tavoularis.  Ms. Martelloni also worked with Italian film director Luigi Comencini.  While she was working in Cinecitta` she got to watch Fellini and other Italian directors make movies.

She worked as well for operas production such as La Boheme at Venice’s famed La Fenice Theater and L’Ernani at Regio Theatre in Parma.

Luigia Martelloni moved to Los Angeles in 1993 where she continues to work as a visual artist, photographer, art educator and filmmaker.

Ms. Martelloni also produced documentaries such as “This is Tap”, a journey into the history of tap dance using interviews with dancers like Gregory Hines, Jimmy Slide, Brenda Buffalino, and the Nicholas Brothers as well as many others.  She directed and produced a documentary called “Bocca della Verita` (Journey into Sex Slavery) a story into the life of East European and African women been trapped in human trafficking.  Recently she made a documentary called “Not Just A House” about the partnership between Habitat For Humanity and The Canyon Charter Elementary School in Santa Monica to build a home for a Florida family struggling to re-start their lives after Hurricane Wilma.

Lectures

2008“Alla Fiera dell”Est”, lecture and screening of the documentary “Bocca della

Verita` (Journey into Sex Slavery). Department of Modern Languages andLiteratures, Loyola Marymount University, presented by Prof. Aine O’Healy,

Los Angeles, CA.

2006“The Journey”, Santa Monica Art Studios, Santa Monica, CA

1996“Focus”, Luigia Martelloni, Maurizio Calvesi, Daniela Lancioni, Sukral Moral, Patrizia Mania, University of Rome La Sapienza / Rome

Teaching Experience

2002/2005 “Art Adventures through Italian language”.  Fondazione Italia, Los Angeles

Theater, TV, Film, Photography

2008

“AFTAF Benefit Concert” with Jackson Browne, Venice and Heart, Photographer, Barnum Hall Theatre, Santa Monica

“Channel Islands and South Coast” Photographer, Dove magazine, Rizzoli Publishing Italia. May 2008

2007“Not Just A House”, A film about Habitat For Humanity & Canyon Charter Elementary School building a house for a victim of Hurricane Wilma, Producer/Director Documentary

2007  “Skin + Bones: Parallel in Fashion and Architecture” MOCA, Los Angeles

Art Show Review and Photographer

2003-2004 “Connect/Disconnect”, Video Artwork, Producer/Director

2001“Sounds of Innocence”, Video Artwork, Producer/Director

2001"Bocca della Verità: Journey into Sex Slavery", Producer/Director Documentary.

1999“This Is Tap”, Producer, Documentary for RAI Italian television / New York-Rome

1998“Orgasmo Adulto” Four monologues with Francesca Fanti, written by Dario Fo & Franca Rame, Production Designer & Photographer, Freemont Theatre / Pasadena, CA

1996/“New Times”, Freelance Photographer / Los Angeles

1997

1996“Libel & Slander” (Theater), Production Designer, Veronica Toole-Director / Los Angeles

“Mr. Lucky” (Film), Art Director, Urs Baur-Director / Los Angeles

1995“21st Century Athletic” (Photo), Ass’t. Photographer, Fabrizo Ferri-Photographer (Conde Nast) / Los Angeles

1993“A Film On Life, A Life On Film”, Documentary film: Writer, Producer, Director / Los Angeles

1992“Rising Sun” (Film), Assistant Video Department 2nd Unit, Phillip Kaufman-Director / Los Angeles

1991“Viva Colombo” (RAI TV), Story Development, Researcher / Rome

1990“Various Projects”(Teleregione), Concept Work, Construction, Scenic Work, Set Dresser / Rome

1990“Ernani” di G. Verdi (Opera), Assistant Production Designer, Teatro Regio / Parma

“La Boheme” di G. Puccini (Opera), Assistant Production Designer, Teatro La Fenice / Venice

1989/“Godfather III” (Film), Concept Work, Drawing, Storyboards, Art Department

1990Assistant, Dean Tavoularis-Production Designer. Francis Coppola Director / Rome

1989“Secret Journal” (Film), Concept Work, Drawing & Design, Francis Coppola-Director / Rome

“The Family Ghost”(Film), Art Director, Mauro Borrelli-Director / Rome

1987-Various Projects (RAI TV), Set Painter, Set Dresser, Scenic Work – Rome

1985-“Cuore” (TV Film), Production Secretary, Difilm Productions, Luigi  Comencini, Director / Rome

Film Festival/Screening

2007- “Not Just A House”, Documentary, Majestic Crest Theatre, Westwood, CA

2006- “Bocca della Verità”, WIF, short documentary, Hollywood Entertainment

Museum, Los Angeles, CA

2004- “Bocca della Verità” Topanga Film Festival, Topanga, CA

2002  “Bocca della Verità” Spyworm Film Competition, Los Angeles, CA

Critical Review / Publications/ Bibliography

“L’Arte Imperfetta”, Patrizia Mania, Editori Riuniti 2008

“Luigia Martelloni”,  Night Italia, Magazine/ 2008

“Patrizia Mania Interview Luigia Martelloni”, Lux Flux Theory 2006

“Patrizia Mania: La Donna, L’Arte, La Critica d’Arte, e La Storia dell’ Arte”, DWF, 2002

“Luigia Martelloni: Presence of Absence”, America Oggi, January 2002

“Luigia Martelloni: Presence of Absence”, L’Italo Americano, December 2001

“Project for Opening”, Opening Contemporary Art Magazine, Fall 1997

“Europa Festival”, L’Italo Americano, July 1997

“Luigia Martelloni: Focus”, G. Latini / Next Art Magazine, February, 1997

“Ipotesi di Realtà” / Journal of Art November 1996

“XII Quadriennale di Roma”, 1996

“Luigia Martelloni: Focus”, Domenico Scudero / Opening Contemporary Art Magazine, November, 1996

“Luigia Martelloni: Focus”, Gianluca Marziani / Flash Art November, 1996

“Fax Art”, 1995

“Luigia Martelloni: La Fotografia e Il Suo Doppio”, Patrizia Mania / Opening Art Magazine 1992

“Luigia Martelloni: Critical Review by Domenico Scudero” 1992

“Senza Padre”, Lorenza Trucchi / Il Giornale Newspaper, November 25, 1990

“Volume Ascetico”, Gianleonardo Latini / Next Art Magazine, Year 5, No. 14, June-August, 1989

“Luigia Martelloni: Frammenti di Arcadia” / La Repubblica Newspaper, June 2, 1989

“Gli Artisti ‘Under Thirty’ A Roma”, Ludovico Pratesi / Next Magazine, Year 4, No. 11-12, 1988

“Luigia Martelloni”, Simonetta Serangeli / Proposte Magazine August, 1988

“Artisti in Accademia”, G. Latini / Il Manifesto, August 9, 1988

“Giovani Artisti A Roma”, Berenice / Paese Sera Newspaper, July 18, 1988

“Arte Giovane”, Ludovico Pratesi / La Repubblica Newspaper, July 14, 1988

“Luigia Martelloni”, Lorenza Trucchi / Critical Review, January, 1988

“Luigia Martelloni”, Luca Cristiani / Critical Review, March, 1987

Selected Collectors

Mr. Carlo Siliotto, Rome/Los Angeles

Mr. Patrick Delanty, Los Angeles

Ms. Rachel Grynberg, Santa Monica

Mrs. Maddy Le Mel, Santa Monica

Ms. Julie Weiss, Santa Monica

Ms. Jackie Nach, Los Angeles

Mr. Christopher Farr, Los Angeles

Mr. Errol Spiro, Los Angeles

Ms. Debbie Edwards, Los Angeles

Ms. Mary Hanes, Studio City, CA

Mrs. Ava and Mr. Chuck Fries, Los Angeles

Mrs. Linda and Mr. Sebastian Harrison, Los Angeles

Mr. Bruno Bassan, Rome

Mr. Paul Baily, Venice, CA

Mr. Roman Coppola, Los Angeles

Mr. Mario Schifano, Rome

Mr. Jonathan Berzer, Los Angeles

Ms. Veronica Toole, Los Angeles

Mr. Richard Tashijan, Los Angeles

Mr. Roberto Lehman, Rome

Mr. Daniele Fisher, Rome

Mr. Maurizio Gambino, Rome

Ms. Lorenza Trucchi, Rome

Ms. Patrizia Mania & Mr. Domenico Scudero, Rome

Ms. Tina Martelloni, Rome

Mr. Paul Siegel, NY

Mr. Hank Munchik, NY

Ms. Melissa Madere, San Francisco

Mr. K.C. Hodenfield, San Francisco

Ms. Silvia Lo Mazzi & Mr. Benjamin Minot, Los Angeles// Rome

Mr. Alberto Pranzo, Los Angeles

Mrs. Alessandra Cameron & Mr. Adam Cameron, Los Angeles

Solo Exhibitions

2008Commissioned by Naked Juice for Santa Monica Pier restoration, Santa Monica CA

“Santa Monica Art Studios Annual Opening” Santa Monica, CA

2007    “Santa Monica Art Studios Annual Opening” Santa Monica, CA

2006    “Santa Monica Art Studios Annual Opening” – Santa Monica, CA

2005    “Santa Monica Art Studios Annual Opening” – Santa Monica, CA

2004“Santa Monica Art Studios Annual Opening” – Santa Monica, CA

2003“Crossroads, Cross America” – video & slide show / Italian Cultural Center / Los Angeles, CA

2001"Presence of Absence" Spazio Italia Gallery, Italian Cultural Center -- Los Angeles

1998“Special Project for Opening” Opening Art Magazine -- Italy

1996“Focus “ Museo Laboratorio di Arte Contemporanea -- University of Rome La Sapienza, Patrizia Mania, Curator (catalogue available) / Rome

1995 “Artist’s Studio” / Los Angeles

1993“Luigia Martelloni, Tridente Fotografia” -- Arco D’Alibert Gallery / Rome

“Crosswords, Cross Images”, Video Installation for 16mm film “A Film On Life, A Life On Film” -- Random Gallery / Los Angeles

1988“Frammenti di Viaggio” -- Al Ferro di Cavallo Gallery, Lorenza Trucchi, Curator / Roma

1987“Studio d’Artista” / Rome

1986“Luigia Martelloni Action”, performance -- Castello Colonna / Genazzano, Italy

“Luigia Martelloni”, Vorpal Gallery / New York

Group Exhibitions

2009   “Incognito” - Santa Monica Museum of Art, Santa Monica, CA

2008”Art Holiday Show” Trine Wejp-Olsen Studio, Santa Monica CA

“Linear Motion”, The Loft at Liz’s Gallery/ Los Angeles, CA

“Euphoria”, The Loft at Liz’s Gallery/ Los Angeles, CA

Incognito, Santa Monica Museum of Art / Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica Airport Artwalk / Santa Monica, CA

Arena 1 Gallery Show / Santa Monica, CA

“In Context”, Hangar Gallery/ Santa Monica, CA

2007Green-er* Sessions, Green Ambassadors / Venice, CA

DCA  – Open Call LA 2007, Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery / Los Angeles, CA

Visioni Dell’Umanita`, Pensieri in Moto Gallery / Rome, Italy

Venice Art Walk Exhibition/ Venice, CA

“Out of Context”, Hangar Gallery / Santa Monica, CA

“Incognito”, Santa Monica Museum of Art @ Bergamot Station /

Santa Monica, CA

“Art/House 2007” – Gallery C / Hermosa Beach, CA

Santa Monica Airport Art Walk Event / Santa Monica, CA

“Visioni dell’ Umanita’ ”, Linux Club. With the support of Amnesty International, City of Rome and the High Commission for Refugees / Rome, Italy

2006Venice Art Walk Exhibition – “Focus On Photography" / Venice, CA

2005“Intersection – An installation project” – Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, LA

“Angels’ Night 2005” – Home of Ava and Chuck Fries, Beverly Hills, CA

2004Venice Art Walk Exhibition, Venice, CA

2003/“Envisioning the Future” Interdisciplinary Project w/ Judy Chicago & Donald

2004 Woodman – Cal Poly Pomona Art Colony, Downtown Center / Pomona, CA

2003-Biennale d’Arte Contemporanea 2003, Porto Ercole, Italy

2003  “House of Hope”, Beverly Hills Hotel, CA

DCA gallery, Venice, CA

Venice Art Walk Exhibition / Venice, CA

2002"Documenti In Mostra" Museo Di Roma In Trastevere / Rome, Italy

2001Venice Art Walk Exhibition / Venice, CA

"200 Artists/ 2000 Millennium" BGH Gallery -- Bergamot Station / Santa Monica, CA

1999“Moving Towards the Millennium”, L.A. International, Watts Tower Center / Los Angeles, CA

“Before/Now” Artworks Booksart Gallery -- Bergamot Station, Barbara Drucker, Curator /                    Santa Monica, CA

1997“Artists for Opening”, Temple Gallery / Rome

“Rassegna Roma Arte”, Galleria Comunale d’Arte Contemporanea / Rome

“Europa Festival”, Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Alberto Pranzo, Curator / Los Angeles, CA

1996“Ipotesi di Realta”, Villaggio Globale, Lucilla Meloni, Curator (catalogue available) / Rome

“Artists for Opening”, American Academy / Rome

“Italia 1970 - 1990, Ultime Generazioni”, XII Quadriennale Nazionale d’Arte di Roma, Palazzo Esposizioni and Termini Station, (catalogue available) / Rome

1995“FaxArt”, Palazzo Esposizioni, Ludovico Pratesi, Curator (catalogue available) / Rome

“A.R.G.A.M.” Egyptian Academy and Narciso Gallery, Lorenza Trucchi, Curator (catalogue available) / Rome

1994“Artist for Opening”, The British School / Rome

1993“Artisti della Galleria”, Marco Rossi Lecce Gallery / Rome

“Roma Arte”, Palazzo della Civiltà del Lavoro EUR, Ludovico Pratesi, Curator (catalogue available)  / Rome

“Depositi di Polvere”, Antonella Melari Gallery and 2nd University of Rome, Giuseppe Cannilla and L. Meloni, Curators (catalogue available) / Rome

1992“French and Italian Artists”, Salander O’Reilly Gallery / Los Angeles

“Foregrounds and Distances -- European Art”, De’ Serpenti Gallery, Marco di Capua, Curator (catalogue available) / Rome

“Teoremi delle Nature Differenti”, Marco Rossi Lecce Gallery, Patrizia Mania, Curator (catalogue available) / Rome

“Teoremi Together”, M. Rossi Lecce Gallery / Rome

1990“Presenze Giovani Artisti”, Bertolt Brecht Gallery / Milan

“The Erotic Image”, Bennet and Siegel Gallery / New York

“Giovani Artisti a Roma”, Palazzo Esposizioni, Enzo Bilardello and Enrico Crispolti, Curators (catalogue available) / Rome

1989“Arcadia Perduta”, Palazzina Corsini, Gianleonardo Latini, Curator (catalogue available) /Rome

1989“Accademia Europa”, S. Michele A Ripa (catalogue available)  / Rome

1988“Artisti dell’ Accademia”, S. Michele A Ripa (catalogue available) / Rome

1987“Project Against Apartheid”, Denmark Academy (catalogue available) / Rome

“Plexus International”, Traveling exhibit: New York, Sardegna, Rome

“Progetto Mare” / Ostia, Italy

“Da Un Posto All’Altro”, Il Luogo Gallery / Calcata, Italy

1986“International Art ‘86”, Castello Colonna Genazzano (catalogue available) / Genazzano, Italy

1984“Premio Manciano ‘84” / Grosseto, Italy

1983New International Gallery (catalogue available)  / Rome

1982“Premio Donatello”, Palazzo Barberini / Rome

“Luigia Martelloni took my Art History courses from 1981 to 1985 in the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma, graduating with a profound and brilliant thesis on the influence primitive cultures had on the avante-garde in our century.

Luigia Martelloni was immediately distinguished for her intellectual curiosity and originality of research, these qualities bring her towards multiple experiences: from painting to photography, from video to performance.

An essential component of her versatile personality is to always gather information through traveling, study, and direct inquiry, not separating the fantastic and creative aspects from the speculative and the empirical

Even though she currently lives in the United States, Luigia Martelloni is well known and appreciated in Italy as one of the most valid young artists.  Proof is her participation in important exhibitions like the XII Nazionale Quadriennale d’Arte di Roma (Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Roma 1996) and her solo exhibition at the Museo Laboratorio di Arte Contemporanea of the University of Rome, La Sapienza - 1996.”

-Lorenza Trucchi

Art Historian/Critic

January, 1998