Federica Aiello Pini’s practice unfolds through collage, mixed media, and stitching as a way of holding complexity. Fragments of paper and memory converge into layered, often spatial compositions. Inserted pieces from her previous works carry specific energies that create continuity across distant times and places.
This process evokes a ritual dimension, articulating a synchronic vision of reality in which human experience is interconnected rather than linear. Collage becomes a method of meaning-making, linking inner and outer worlds through acts of connection and transformation.
By weaving mythological narratives with resonances of shamanic ways of knowing, Aiello Pini’s visual language bridges ancient forms of knowledge and contemporary questions, highlighting their timeless relevance. Through mixed media (including acrylic, oil, pastel, pencil, gold leaf, crystals, wood … ), she constructs a non-linear conception of time in which past, present, and future coexist. This layered temporality invites a rethinking of reality as a field of interwoven possibilities, where new paths and perspectives may emerge.
BIOGRAPHY
Federica Aiello Pini studied Fine Arts at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Bologna and Illustration at Scuola Internazionale di Comics in Florence. Later, in the Masterclass in Visual Art and Design at the Venice Biennale, "Signs of Water: Paper and Its Traditions. Techniques and Methods for Handmade Paper through the Creative Process", she deepened her study of a material so familiar and central to her work.
She explored the relationship between art and healing through the Healing with the Arts course developed by the University of Florida. As a Certified Global Arts in Medicine Fellow, she combines her artistic practice with a commitment to social impact, using the arts as a tool for healing and connection.
Throughout her career, Federica has explored and developed her artistic research through live performances, often collaborating with musicians. She began in Italy with Teatro all'Improvviso for "Summer Solstice. The Music of Wonders" at Palazzo Te, Mantua, in 2012, continuing in Holland at Amstel 41 Gallery in Amsterdam, and in Panama City at Jeronimo Gallery. These experiences led to her invitation as a visiting professor at the Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático (ESAD) in Cordoba, Spain, where she conducted expressive arts workshops for the course of studies in Acting and Scenography in 2013.
Having lived in Panama for several years, Federica’s work was deeply influenced by its lush forests and vibrant colors, intertwining with the sun-washed tones of Sicily and the soft neutrals of Northern Italy that have always shaped her inner sensibility. Later, the powerful, ever-moving Atlantic Ocean in Portugal added a new rhythm to her practice, infusing it with expanded energy, depth, and movement.
Her work has been exhibited internationally, and her pieces are part of private and institutional collections worldwide, including the Portuguese Embassies in Panama and Oslo.
Federica also designs expressive arts workshops in collaboration with cultural institutions and healthcare settings, believing in the power of art to foster connection, healing, and social impact. She works with institutions such as the Fondazione Palazzo Te, Casa del Mantegna, and Carlo Poma Hospital in Mantua, Italy.
STUDIO CONTACT: federica@aiellopini.com
EDUCATION
2026
Incorporating Art in Therapy to Achieve Therapeutic Outcomes with Torture and Refugee Trauma Survivors, STARTTS – NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors Masterclass - Certificate
Healing Hands, Healing Hearts: Sensorimotor Art Therapy for Survivors of Torture and Trauma, STARTTS – NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors Masterclass - Certificate
2024
Certified Global Arts in Medicine Fellow, Global Arts in Medicine Fellowship
Certificate in Healing with the Arts, University of Florida
2023
Certificate in Art History, Art Explora Academy, validated by Université de la Sorbonne
2011
Visual Art and Design Masterclass, Venice Biennale
2008
BFA, with honours (110/110 cum laude), Accademia di Belle Arti di Bologna, Painting.
Thesis in Theory of Perception and Psychology of Form
2004
Three-Year Diploma in Illustration, Scuola Internazionale di Comics, Florence
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2026
Danza cosmica, curated by Paola Artoni, Hub Oltrepò, Quistello, Mantova, Italy
2025
Kairos, curated by Carlo Micheli, Fondazione Malagutti, Mantova, Italy
Le parole sono pietre, site-specific installation, Palazzo del Plenipotenziario, Mantova, Italy, in collaboration with Mantova Poesia
2024
Mito, two-person exhibition with Dario Moretti, curated by Stefano Trombini, Casa del Pittore, Mantova, Italy
On Fire site- specific installation for “The Artist Is Present”, Spazio Te - Palazzo Te, in collaboration with Accademia delle Arti, Mantova, Italy
2023
Del sogno, un ponte, Casa di Rigoletto, curated by Carlo Micheli, Mantova, italy
2019
Flirting with Chaos, Studio d’arte Galana, curated by Giovanni Pasetti, Mantova, Italy
2017
Casco Viejo Gardens, Ariana Lima Atelier, Panama City, Panama
2016
Boom, Jeronimo Gallery, curated by Andrew Hyde and Leandro Ciciliani, Panama City, Panama
2015
Arquetipas, Jeronimo Gallery, curated by Andrew Hyde and Leandro Ciciliani, Panama City, Panama
2014
Falling in Love, Home Gallery 1 Stile, curated by Mara Pasetti, Mantova, Italy
2013
And then all life comes crowding into one single hour, Amstel 41 Gallery, curated by Rini Antonissen, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2012
L'unico legame fra silenzio e parola, Sala delle Colonne, Ponti sul Mincio, Mantova, Italy
2011
Ri-tratti, Palazzo del Mago, curated by Carlo Micheli, Mantova, Italy
2008
Digressione, Castello degli Agolanti, Riccione, Italy
Nel vuoto, Atelier777 Contemporary Art, curated by Angelo Raffaele Villani, Cosimo Damiano Annese e Andrea Guarnieri, Pescara, Italy
2006
Uscire dal vuoto, UGC Cité Parco Leonardo, Rome, Italy
Selected GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
Arteam Cup 2024 - Finalists Exhibition, curated by Livia Savorelli and Matteo Galbiati, Fortezza del Priamàr, Savona, Italy
Visible / Invisible Traces of perception, curated by Artefora - Centro per l’Arte Contemporanea, Edicola 51, Torino
2023
Unfair, Superstudio Maxi, Milan, Italy
2022
Aqua Art Miami - Miami Art Week, AC Latin Art Contemporary, curated by Cristina De La Vega, Miami, USA
Arteam Cup 2022 - Finalists exhibition, curated by Livia Savorelli and Matteo Galbiati, Fortezza del Priamàr, Savona, Italy
BAAM, Monopol Gallery, curated by di Sofia Nordmann e José Contreras Aguad, Berlin
The Other Art Fair, London, UK
Volta Basel, Basel, AC Latin Art Gallery, curated by Cristina de la Vega, Switzerland
2021
Human Rights? @Work, curated by Roberto Ronca, AIAPI - UNESCO Official Partner, Fondazione Campana dei Caduti - Rovereto - Trento, Italy
2020
Ogilvy Art Auction, Sea Containers, London
Human Rights? The Future's Shape #Womencansavetheworld, curated by Roberto Ronca, AIAPI - UNESCO Official Partner, Fondazione Campana dei Caduti - Rovereto - Trento, Italy
2019
Priority Mail, Ground Floor Gallery, Brooklyn, New York City, USA
2018
Macmillan Artshow, Ogilvy UK, Sea Containers, London, UK
2017
WBAI, Chesterfield Gallery, Manhattan, New York City, USA
2016
Séptimo Salón de ilustración Imagenpalabra, Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Universidad Los Libertadores, and ASAB Facultad de Artes Universidad Francisco José de Caldas, Bogotá, Colombia
IX Biennale d'arte Giovani, curated by Gianfranco Ferlisi, MAM, Gazoldo degli Ippoliti, Mantua, Italy.
Retrospectiva, Jeronimo Gallery, curated by Andrew Hyde and Leandro Ciciliani, Panama City, Panama
GAM, Casa del Mantegna, curated by Vincenzo Denti and Gianfranco Ferlisi, Mantua, Italy
Salón de GIF animado: Puntogif, Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Bogotá, Colombia
2015
Pop-UP Art Show Macrofest, curated by Martin Peleritti, Panama City, Panama
2014
Recortar Palavras, Galeria Almedina, Coimbra, Portugal
Polirone luogo di pace, curated by Club UNESCO, Polirone, San Benedetto Po, Mantua, Italy
Expo Diaspora, Galerie B, Bocholt, Germany
Mantegna Cercasi, curated by Francesca Baboni, Alberto Mattia Martini, Stefano Taddei, Casa del Mantegna, Mantua, Italy
Imprimatvr Biennale, curated by Donato Novellini and Vincenzo Denti, Chiesa Castello, San Martino dall’Argine, Italy
Xarirabam, Museu Municipal, Coimbra, Portugal
2013
Book in the box, Archivio di Stato, Mantua, Italy
Mantegna Cercasi - Orientalmente, Centro storico, Mantua, Italy 2012
I Giovani del Premio Ricoh, Spazio Idroart, Milano, Italy
Tracce d’arte, Palazzo della Ragione, curated by Carlo Micheli, Mantua, Italy
Premio Ricoh, Idroscalo, Milan, Italy
2011
Premio Ricoh, Spazio Oberdan, Milan, Italy
Arte a Mantova 2000-2010, Persistenze Verifiche e Nuove Presenze, Casa del Mantegna, curated by Claudio Cerritelli, Mantua, Italy
2008
Tra le illustrazioni, Premio Cinema e Narrativa dedicato a Sandra Braibanti, Castello dell'Imperatore, Prato, Italy
2007
Alchimia, curated by Pollywood, Galleria d’Arte Moderna, San Benedetto Po, Mantua, Italy
2006
Il mio letto è una nave, ENSAD, Paris, France
Il visibile e l’invisibile, curated by Pollywood, Galleria d’Arte Moderna, San Benedetto Po, Mantua, Italy
Premio Samp, Pinacoteca Nazionale, Bologna, Italy
AWARDS
2019
Artrepreneur Portrait Competition — First Prize, Illustration Contest, New York City, United States
2014
Mantegna Cercasi — Finalist, Italian National Art Contest, Mantua, Italy
2013
Mantegna Cercasi — Finalist, Italian National Art Contest, Mantua, Italy
2012
Premio Ricoh — Finalist, Italian National Art Contest, Milan, Italy
2011
Premio Ricoh — Finalist, Italian National Art Contest, Milan, Italy
2009
Co.Co.Co Como Contemporary Contest — Special Mention, Italian National Art Contest, Como, Italy
2008
Concorso Gino Perrone (XIII Edition) — Italian National Illustration Contest, Lecce, Italy
2008
Artefatta — First Prize, Italian National Art Contest, Riccione, Italy
2007
Saatchi Gallery Top 10 — Selected by Rebecca Wilson, London, United Kingdom
COLLECTIONS
Fondazione Malagutti, 2025
Embassy of Portugal in Oslo, 2023
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, commissioned 2023
Embassy of Portugal in Panama, 2016
Ricoh, 2011
COLLABORATIONS
2024
United Nations Online Volunteer: Contributor and Art Judge for Simuka Africa
2023
Fondazione Palazzo Te and Carlo Poma Hospital: Art workshop “L’arTE che cura. Rubens e gli eroi”, clinical study to evaluate the impact of art on patients' well-being
2019
United Nations: Illustrations for the promotion of the first ever World’s Largest Mountain Hiking event, organized by Simuka Africa NGO
2018
Ogilvy UK and Macmillan Cancer Support: Art Auction
2013
Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático “Miguel Salcedo Hierro” (ESAD), Córdoba, Spain: Visiting Professor
ARTIST’S RESIDENCIES
2013, Amstel 41 Gallery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2011, Otranto Arts Residency, Castello di Otranto, Italy
Publications / CATALOGUES
2024
Piccola città bastardo posto, Roberto Barbolini, cover illustration by Federica Aiello Pini
2023
Un viaggio impossibile, Giovanni Pasetti, illustrated by Federica Aiello Pini, Oligo Editore
2022
Espoarte, Contemporary Art Magazine, Vanilla Edizioni
Colora la tua Roma, illustrated by Federica Aiello Pini, Oligo Editore
2021
Colora la tua Verona, illustrated by Federica Aiello Pini, Oligo Editore
2019
Colora la tua Milano, illustrated by Federica Aiello Pini, Oligo Editore
Colora la tua Torino, illustrated by Federica Aiello Pini, Oligo Editore
Colora la tua Bologna, illustrated by Federica Aiello Pini, Oligo Editore
2018
Colora la tua Mantova, illustrated by Federica Aiello Pini, Oligo Editore
2016
Mantova da colorare, illustrated by Federica Aiello Pini, Il Rio Edizioni
2014
Expo Diaspora, Exhibition catalogue, Kunsthaus Bocholt, LWL Bocholt Westf. Landesmuseum für Industriekultur, and Galerie B, DE
2013
Orientalmente - Mantegna Cercasi, Exhibition catalogue, Publi Paolini Publisher
2012
Tracce d’Arte, Exhibition catalogue
Identità femminili dell’arte contemporanea a Mantova, Exhibition catalogue - MUVI, Arti Grafiche Castello
I giovani del premio Ricoh, Exhibition catalogue
Premio Ricoh, Exhibition catalogue
2011
Arte a Mantova 2000-2010, Persistenze verifiche e nuove presenze, Claudio Cerritelli, Exhibition catalogue, Publi Paolini Publisher
2010
Ars Opus Apertum - Monstrum Exhibition catalogue
2009
Co.Co.Co Como Contemporary Contest, Exhibition catalogue
2008
Piccole Impronte - LAV magazine, illustrations by Federica Aiello Pini
2007
Edison Square Magazine, illustrations by Federica Aiello Pini
Art Workshops & Facilitation Experience
2013
Visiting professor at Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático “Miguel Salcedo Hierro” (ESAD) in Cordoba (Spain) leading a series of workshops for the course of studies in Acting and Scenography
2012
Art therapy workshop for children to cope with the earthquake, facilitator, Asilo Nido Girotondo, Gonzaga, Mantova, Italy
2013
Art workshop at “G. Paolo II” primary school (Monzambano, Mantova, Italy): the artworks created were finalists at “Diritti a colori” International Drawing Contest promoting the respect of children’s rights
2012
Summer school art workshops, CRED, Monzambano, Mantova, Italy
2011 - 2013
Visual art teaching at “G. Paolo II” primary school, Monzambano, Mantova, Italy
2009
Art workshop facilitator at International Festival of Art and Theatre for Children “Segni D’Infanzia”, Mantova, Italy
