BIO:
Originally from Italy, I moved to the U.S. in the mid-90s and spent two decades working worldwide as a commercial photographer, shooting fashion, editorial, sports, and events like Elton John’s Academy Awards Party, the SAG Awards in Los Angeles; and the 2003 Women’s Soccer World Cup.
Since 2008, I’ve been collaborating with Ballets with a Twist as photographer and graphic designer. In 2011, I began exploring the world of contemporary art co-founding *Cantiere Nuovo*, a cultural association in Marina di Pisa, Italy, which remains active today.
By 2013, my focus shifted to documenting New York City’s streets, bars, and underground music scene, leading to *MANI*, a newsprint publication celebrating NYC’s rock and punk culture, later supported by Ilegal Mezcal. This project has evolved into recurring exhibitions, including a 2020 solo show at 72 Gallery in Manhattan and subsequent exhibits in 2022 in Lisbon (Portugal), Brooklyn 2022 and 2023, and 2024 Arles (France).
In 2023, I’ve also realized a “dream” with a citywide open-air show featuring 25 large-scale wheat-paste photos across five NYC locations and launched two new fanzine formats: *MINI MANI* and *MANI SQUARED*.
My work continues to explore and celebrate NYC’s counterculture through photography and independent publishing.
Links:
Ballets with a Twist
Cantiere Nuovo
© 2025 Nico Malvaldi • nico@nicomalvaldi.com • +1.310.210.7761 • +39.349.813.9818