Aug. 11 – Mauro Pallotta, aka Maupal, and also known for having drawn Pope Francis as a superhero, or Super Pope, is much more than just a street artist. As proof, there will soon be an exhibition dedicated to his primordial painting technique, which uses steel wool as a canvas on which to mold faces, emotions and experiences. “Since 1928” is the title of his first solo show in the UK, which opens today and remains open until August 23 at the Le Dame London Gallery in Notting Hill. Through the expressions and words of an old Roman lady born on January 4, 1928 and still alive today, the artist reveals his strong interest in life and current events. With a series of sometimes ironic and mocking looks, Liliana accompanies us as a new Virgil in the great political and cultural changes that characterized the last century. The choice of the generic titles reveals Maupal’s understanding of the passing of time and the persistence of material memories in people’s lives. Each of the personalities depicted refer to the men who made history: Salvador Dali, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Bob Marley, among others. Nevertheless, these characters are all alive thanks to Liliana, who, through her strong material presence and voice, makes them all still exist. The exhibition features an audio recording of Liliana’s words, who, in Roman dialect, no teeth and no dentures, tells the audience about her life.