My name is Ilaria Bochicchio, also known as Ilaz. I was born in 1988 and raised in Rivello, a small town in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. I later moved to Rome to study at IED (Istituto Europeo di Design), and then to Milan, where I earned a Master’s degree in Literature and Art History. After that, I moved to New York and I am currently based in Miami.
My artistic journey began in 2011, when I was selected as one of 100 artists to participate in the Young Artist Biennale, an international event showcasing emerging talent. A significant milestone in my career was the opportunity to exhibit my paintings alongside Natvar Bhavsar (b. 1934), a key figure in American Abstract Expressionism, during the exhibition Form and No Form in New York.
Over the years, I have exhibited my work in numerous solo and group shows in major cities including Roma, Milan, Paris, London, Berlin, Miami, Los Angeles, and New York. I have also participated in several international art fairs, represented by galleries such as Hysteria Art Gallery in Milan, Karin Reisová in Turin, and Molin Corvo Gallery in Paris.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / CURATOR / JOURNALIST
Since 2017, I have served as the Artistic Director of the Art & Landscape Foundation, founded in New York by Italian architect Roberto Brams. Together, we have realized numerous site-specific projects — from an artist residency in Pantelleria, to art and interior design interventions in Milan (including the historic penthouse of San Simpliciano in Brera), to installations in various TriBeCa lofts in New York, and most recently, the design of two boutique hotels in Uptown NYC, featuring over 30 site-specific art installations.
Now based in Miami, I have begun a collaboration with Italian architect Gaia Sonzogni on various site-specific art projects for both private residences and public spaces.
Throughout my career, I have curated numerous exhibitions, festivals, and cultural events with The Creators Collective in Milan and New York, always with a focus on fostering dialogue and integration among different artistic disciplines. I was also Artistic Director of the Dream Art Festival in southern Italy, organized as part of the Matera Capitale della Cultura celebrations. The festival featured artists from Beijing, Mexico City, Los Angeles, New York, and across Italy, promoting cultural exchange and international collaboration.