What does Giovinazzo have to do with Malaysia?

An art enthusiast from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, approached contemporary artist Alessandro Siviglia to commission a painting depicting her “favorite place”: Giovinazzo, a picturesque seaside town in Puglia, near Bari. Her family roots lie there: her father was born in Giovinazzo before moving to Australia, while she and her family later chose Kuala Lumpur, the vibrant Malaysian capital, as their new home.

The brief for the work was clear and detailed: to represent Puglia in its essence, with its culture and traditions, the captivating music of the pizzica, fishing, and the joy of living; and at the same time, to pay homage to Giovinazzo, with its characteristic little harbor, a symbol of identity and memory.

Although the client liked the first version of the painting, she wasn’t entirely convinced. She therefore requested a few small changes to make it even more personal. Among her specifications was the desire to depict the father and uncle fishing for octopus, as well as the names of the boats enriched with amusing phrases in dialect. The young woman with dark hair and a red dress, on the other hand, was supposed to be enjoying a pasticciotto, a typical Apulian dessert. The artist therefore resumed the work, carefully integrating all the new requests:

The modified version has thrilled the collector, and it will soon travel to Kuala Lumpur, where it will enrich her home with beauty and meaning. Every day, it will remind her of her deep Italian roots, becoming a bridge between past and present, between memory and everyday life.

If you too would like a depiction of your city or favorite place in Alessandro Siviglia’s modern style, contact him at +39 389 12458 to request a personalized quote.