Gabriele Picco's Graphic Novel 'New York era piena di zigomi' Published by Postmedia Books
Gabriele Picco, an Italian artist born in Brescia in 1974, has published a graphic novel entitled 'New York era piena di zigomi' (Postmedia Books, Milan, 2021, 200 pages, €21, ISBN 9788874902996). This nearly autobiographical narrative, 99% true, reflects on his experiences as a young artist in New York City. The title is inspired by his 1999 artwork 'Mi innamorai di uno zigomo.' Utilizing a Bic ballpoint pen, the same tool he used for drawings in the MoMA collection, Picco dedicated the book to his grandmother Zuma, who held his first exhibition when he was 17. The narrative juxtaposes his fears during the COVID-19 lockdown with his lively years in New York and includes contributions from Massimiliano Gioni and Maurizio Cattelan. Picco is also creating new sculptures for a duo exhibition in 2022.
Key facts
- Gabriele Picco published the graphic novel 'New York era piena di zigomi' with Postmedia Books in 2021.
- The book is autobiographical, recounting Picco's years in New York City as a young artist.
- The title references Picco's 1999 painting 'Mi innamorai di uno zigomo'.
- The graphic novel was drawn entirely with a Bic ballpoint pen.
- Picco's drawings in the MoMA collection are also executed with Bic pen on printer paper.
- The book is dedicated to his grandmother Zuma, who helped him with his first exhibition and read tarot cards.
- Picco created the work during the first COVID-19 lockdown as a contrast to his then-current state.
- The narrative focuses on personal experiences in Queens and the Lower East Side rather than tourist clichés.
- Massimiliano Gioni and Maurizio Cattelan appear as special guests in the book.
- Picco is preparing new sculptures for a duo exhibition at a museum in 2022.
Entities
Artists
- Gabriele Picco
- Massimiliano Gioni
- Maurizio Cattelan
- Pasquale Leccese
- Fran Lebowitz
- Martin Scorsese
- Gastone Novelli
- Gigi Marzullo
Institutions
- Postmedia Books
- MoMA
- Netflix
- Triennale Milano
- Artribune
- Gagosian
- Guggenheim
- Ponte alle Grazie
- Mondadori
Locations
- Brescia
- Italy
- New York City
- Milan
- Queens
- Lower East Side
- Empire State Building
- New York
- USA