Valeria Molinari

I can smell nutmeg and broth. In an instant I am transported, I am five years old, standing in my grandmother's kitchen. Viva la Nonna is an homage to my grandparents and how their traditions shaped my life and the way I see food. 

I am an immigrant and when I can to the U.S. from Venezuela all I had with me to make myself feel at home were the traditions my grandparents had with them when they moved from Italy after the war.

Now just by the simple act of following these recipes and the ritual of sharing them with friends, I have been able to feel at home and build a community through food.

Viva la Nonna, is a project that evolved into my thesis for my MFA in Illustration Practice. In it I explore the different ways in which I can use my illustration to create this kitchen, and this world that revolves around food. 

Working with textiles, patterning, ceramics, gouache I developed an exhibit, that showcases the feeling of this world, of this home I miss so much.

MFA Thesis Exhibition

Ceramics

ceramics