Aquarium, Torre Delle Stelle – Friday, 22 August

Every Friday at Aquarium in Torre Delle Stelle, “Meet the Artist” opens a door into the creative world of contemporary artisans and designers. On Friday, August 22nd, the spotlight was on Giulia Sollai, a Sardinian illustrator and painter based in Bologna, whose artistic journey is deeply tied to identity, memory, and reinvention.

Presented by Matteo Angioni, manager of the Boutique by Aquarium, the talk offered an intimate look into Giulia’s world. She shared how her home in the heart of Bologna became a multifunctional atelier, serving as both a painting studio and a venue for exhibitions, collaborations and cultural events. More than a studio, it’s a living creative hub where art and community intersect.

Central to Giulia’s work is her bond with Sardinia. Every landscape, ritual and family memory feeds her imagination. “When inspiration runs dry, I go back to childhood memories—my family, the artisan shop my parents ran in Pula, the scents and colors of my island,” she explained.

Her Bologna space, La Casetta dell’Artista, is now a platform for editorial projects, art courses, exhibitions and artistic collaborations wich reflects the entrepreneurial side of her practice.

At AQ Boutique, guests can find a selection of her illustrated t-shirts—unique wearable artworks that translate her visual language into expressive objects. Her aesthetic is bold, humorous, and unfiltered, inviting viewers into a direct dialogue.

The event closed with an open Q&A session, where the audience explored her creative process, influences and life choices. It was a genuine exchange that reminded everyone of the emotional power of art, and how creativity can reconnect us to our origins and community.

The encounter with Giulia Sollai reaffirmed the mission of “Meet the Artist”: to create a space for meaningful conversations, where artists, guests and stories converge in the inspiring setting of Torre Delle Stelle.