Maria Positano is an artist-in-residence with the Sixi AiR Program for Spring 2026. As a sculpture and installation artist from Naples, Italy, her practice focuses on the diverse configurations of the "body," constructing a unique visual system within the tension between fragility and strength, femininity and masculinity, through her investigation into protective mechanisms such as shells and armors.
During her residency in Nanjing, Positano’s practice undergoes an experimental expansion. This video records her research and localized dialogues within the city: from visiting traditional armor restorer Mr. Chang in his studio and exploring the Jade Armor at the Nanjing Museum, to conducting the "Soft Armor" workshop at the museum. Transcending the boundary of static objects, Positano integrates her own body shapes and performance into her work for the first time. This rich, localized journey culminated in an open studio event themed “Displacement and Transformation,” vividly demonstrating how she processes movement and transition as her core creative resources.
