Federica Maria Spada (Italy)
Residency Period: May and June
Federica Maria Spada (b. 1998, Sassari, Italy) is an Italian curator and researcher whose practice explores the relationship between art, identity, and marginalized cultural territories. Raised in Sardinia, a region often reduced to stereotypes despite its rich and complex history, her work examines how local artistic practices can challenge dominant cultural narratives and foster social transformation.
Her academic research in Contemporary Art History focused on six Sardinian women artists, investigating how their experiences beyond the island shaped their artistic practices and how they re-engaged with their communities through urban, relational, and socially engaged art. Her study also examined the contrasting trajectories of artists Narcisa Monni, who remained in Sardinia to educate emerging artists, and Silvia Argiolas, who pursued her career in Milan.
Having also left Sardinia to pursue her education and professional development, Spada is committed to returning her knowledge to her homeland while creating international opportunities for artists from underrepresented regions. Her curatorial vision promotes equitable cultural exchange, encourages dialogue between diverse communities, and challenges Eurocentric perspectives by recognizing the intrinsic artistic value of local contexts. Through research, collaboration, and cross-cultural initiatives, she seeks to amplify overlooked voices and build meaningful connections across different artistic landscapes.
Nicholas M. Milkovich (USA)
Special Screening: Recall / Date: 3 July 2026 / Venue: Chitra Nepal, Lazimpat, Kathmandu
Nicholas M. Milkovich is an American interdisciplinary artist, sculptor, and biomechanical engineer based in Brooklyn, New York. Working at the intersection of art, science, and engineering, his practice investigates the human body as both a biological organism and a mechanical system. Through large-scale sculpture and immersive installations, he explores themes of trauma, disease, failure, and transformation, using vibrant synthetic materials alongside reclaimed objects to create forms that are simultaneously playful and unsettling.
Milkovich holds a PhD in Biomechanical Engineering and an MFA in 3D Fine Arts, combining scientific inquiry with artistic experimentation. His work has been exhibited internationally in the United States, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, with solo exhibitions including The Next Goddamn Virus and Bad Bones. He has also participated in artist residencies at Residency Unlimited (New York), Artist Alliance Inc. (Manhattan), Radio28 Creative Studios (Mexico City), and MERZ Gallery (United Kingdom).
Alongside his studio practice, Milkovich has taught both engineering and fine arts at institutions including Boston University, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and North Central College. His work invites viewers to reconsider the fragility, resilience, and complexity of the human body through a distinctive fusion of scientific precision and sculptural imagination.
