I first met Italian artist Marta Grossi while I was living in Hong Kong through a mutual friend. Like the wonderfully hospitable Italian she is, she welcomed me into her world almost immediately. I still remember walking into her apartment for the first time. Every object felt intentional, every corner told a story, and I left with the feeling that I had met someone who saw the world through a rainbow lens.
Over the past seventeen years, Marta has built a career spanning Europe and Asia, blending illustration, digital art and creative direction for brands including Ferrari, Lane Crawford, Chanel, Stuart Weitzman and the Max Mara Group. Now based in Turin after almost a decade in Hong Kong, she is dedicating more of her practice to personal artistic exploration and storytelling, creating work that is both playful and deeply considered.
What I admire most about Marta is her ability to balance bold creativity with warmth. There is an optimism to everything she creates that feels unmistakably her own. For The Portal, Marta reflects on creativity, living between cultures and why authenticity continues to shape both her work and the way she sees the world.
What inspires your work as an artist?
I love to celebrate beauty and creativity in daily life, even the somewhat ordinary moments - a sign post on the street, a song, a peeling wall, soy-sauce stains on a table. I am super sensitive and feel it all, which is amazing for the creative process but sometimes can be overwhelming so I have had to learn to harness my energy.. Seeking the beauty and wonder in everyday life has become my daily practice, which keeps me in the present moment.
You spent 9 years living in Hong Kong before returning to Italy. How did those two worlds shaped your creative vision?
Asia, and Hong Kong in particular, is truly a different world compared to Italy – the pace of life, the atmosphere, the speed at which so many things happen. I think the secret, but at the same time the challenge, lies in staying true to one’s roots and identity, whilst allowing oneself to be inspired by different cultures and keeping an open heart and mind. My life, and consequently my projects too, are a blend of international influences that have enriched me. My Italian roots are reflected in my meticulous attention to detail and my love for all things handmade, artisanal and unique. An aesthetic vision that has drawn inspiration from the rich artistic and cultural heritage of my homeland.
Today, creativity can feel shaped by trends, external validation and constant comparison. How do you protect your own artistic voice and remain connected to what feels authentic to you and to your creative vision?
Absolutely true, we live in a world where following trends, conforming, and staying on the surface seems the most obvious and easy choice. Especially where new technologies and the arrival of AI have created a general leveling-off. My key word is authenticity; I try to reflect it in everything I am and do, and it’s often difficult to go a bit against the grain. Remaining authentic is an expression of love and trust in myself and others, and also a revolutionary creative act.
My key word is authenticity; I try to reflect it in everything I am and do, and it’s often difficult to go a bit against the grain
What personal rituals, habits help you reconnect with yourself?
A cup of hot tea, jotting down notes and sketching on paper to organise my thoughts, placing a hand on my heart whilst trying to take deeper breaths, listening to music and spending time with the people I love.The thing that grounds me most of all is spending time in nature.
What is your favourite SÌUNO scent and why?
Sunetto - because I love everything it reminds me of: a sunny day, freshly hung washing, cycling on my bike and letting my thoughts drift away, memories of citrus scents and playing with tree sap when I was little. Definitely neroli oil, which is the main ingredient in all the perfumes I’m using at the moment; it gives me a sense of belonging and authenticity. A space for spontaneity, presence and joy.
I love everything it reminds me of: a sunny day, freshly hung washing, cycling on my bike and letting my thoughts drift away, memories of citrus scents and playing with tree sap when I was little.
Favourite quote: Replace fear of the unknown with curiosity.
Playing on your Spotify: Raye, Sofiane Pamart, Aaliyah, Ani Kuni, Foo Fighters, Still Corners, too many… I love music and I am so eclectic.
Book currently on the night stand: “Begin Again, and Again, and Again: Notes on the Art of Perpetual Renewal” The new book of Alessandra Olanow
