Marco Gallotta: Papercutting Artist from Salerno to New York

Marco Gallotta, born in 1974 in Salerno, Italy, has lived in New York for 23 years, currently based in Harlem. He specializes in papercutting, a technique he modernizes with bisturi, recycled paper, old books, photographs, wax, and paint. His works are layered, sculptural, and invite viewers to slow down and notice details, countering fast-paced social media consumption. Gallotta has collaborated with Chanel, Vogue, Campari, Timberland, Nike, Ennio Morricone, and Will Smith. In 2020, he co-produced, co-wrote, and acted in the short film "Waiting for Woody" (directed by Claudio Napoli, a David di Donatello winner), presented at the 77th Venice Film Festival's Boat in Campari event at the Arsenale. The film, a tribute to Woody Allen, explores a nostalgic New York and prompts reflection on contemporary reality. Gallotta created a tribute work for George Floyd and supports the Black community, criticizing the current U.S. political climate under a leader he believes fosters hatred. He sees New York as a diverse haven but acknowledges tension. Gallotta is expanding into cinema (aiming for a feature film) and sculpture using metal. He recently completed a permanent public art installation in Norwalk, Connecticut, and is working on six metal cutout installations for a New York subway station. He describes himself as an artisan and experimenter, continuously evolving.