On the opening night of the Cover Revolution [2] illustration exhibition curated by Melania Gazzotti, renowned artists Guido Scarabottolo [3] and Emiliano Ponzi [4] were interviewed by Stefano Imbert [5], who serves on the Board of Directors of the Society of Illustrators [6] as the International Chair. Together, they talked about their art, their experiences all around the world, and what inspires them. 

Scarabottolo started out in the field of architecture and urban planning, belonging to Arcoquattro, a group of young architects whose focus was on graphic design. Throughout his successful career, Scarabottolo has worked with the RAI [7], Italy’s biggest national public broadcasting company, and for Guanda [8] publishing, designing book covers as well as serving as their art director. He has also had his work published internationally in other countries like the United States and Japan.

While Scarabottolo’s work contains more of a subdued color palette and a minimalistic approach, the illustrations of Emiliano Ponzi are almost the complete opposite. Ponzi’s art is characterized by a bold color scheme and strong graphic compositions. His work has been published in huge American magazines such as The New York Times [9], Rolling Stone [10], and The New Yorker [11]. He has also received several honors and awards including the Young Guns Award from the New York Art Directors Club [12]. Ponzi’s work can be found all over Italy, Europe, and the United States.

Besides these two spectacular illustrators, the Italian Cultural Institute’s Cover Revolution exhibition also hosts the work of Lorenzo Mattotti [13], Franco Matticchio [14], Gianluigi Toccafondo [15], and the extremely popular, Olimpia Zagnoli [16]. These innovative artists are not only changing the face of major Italian publishing houses but transforming the international illustration game in general. If you want to be a part of the Cover Revolution make sure you head to the Italian Cultural Institute on Park Avenue before the exhibition closes on October 26th!