Ahmed Malis: From Milan Subway Sketches to NABA Degree

Ahmed Malis, a young artist from the Milan suburbs, has published an autobiographical book titled "Disegnavo pappagalli verdi alla fermata del metrò," written by Nicoletta Bortolotti and illustrated by Malis. The book tells his story of growing up in a cramped 40-square-meter apartment with five family members, lacking basic art supplies, yet developing an extraordinary hyperrealistic drawing technique through constant practice. His subjects range from portraits of Tupac and Walter White to everyday objects like water bottles, light bulbs, and Nike shoes. He prefers drawing flowers because they never wilt. A turning point came in 2016 when an educator from the CDE Creta youth center in Milan's Giambellino district helped publish his drawings on Corriere.it, leading to public attention and scholarships. Malis later graduated with top marks from NABA (Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti) in Milan, with a project involving other local youth. He hopes to live from his art, exhibit his work, travel, and support his family and neighborhood.