Introducing Antonio Monfreda
Part of the creative duo M+A Creative, designer, curator, photographer and adopted Roman, with backstory reads like a fabulous Oscar Wilde tale, Antonio Monfreda is a natural storyteller. Born in Venice and raised in Bassano del Grappa, Monfreda studied in London and embarked on a career in economics and communications first at FIAT and then in private banking with Rothschild. Come Y2K and Monfreda was curious for more and that meant a return to Italy, in particular Rome where he immersed himself in contemporary art.
As one of the first to set up Rome’s Magazzino art gallery, Monfreda met Patrick Kinmonth, at the time, the Met’s exhibition. It was a match made in heaven. By 2006, the duo became Kinmonth-Monfreda studio (now M+A Creative), the creative team behind ground-breaking exhibitions, events and campaigns like Valentino’s 45th anniversary at the Ara Pacis, AngloMania at The Met, the 2016 British Fashion Awards, and a 2020 portfolio which includes Gucci Psychedelic and Bally at Home.
Monfreda believes that “creativity asks you to be versatile because you apply your eyes to everything requested, really. So, you give your perspective, your vision.” And he is a firm believer in “piuttosto che niente è meglio piuttosto” (something is better than nothing).
Monfreda has traveled the world but always returns to the Trastevere neighborhood which has been his home for the past two decades. Drawn by the city’s light, Monfreda’s love for Rome is reflected throughout his photography thoughtfully shown via his Instagram. He finds inspiration in the collections of Palazzo Borghese and Palazzo Doria Pamphili, in those quintessential Roman neighbourhoods like Monti, Prati and Trastevere, and those magic locations like Via Giulia, Villa Medici, Galleria Nazionale and the MAXXI.
Monfreda’s Rome picks include:
Coffee: Sant’Eustachio
Aperitivi: Pierluigi and Ristorante Camponeschi
Lunch or Dinner: Da Enzo in Trastevere and Osteria Der Belli for fish
