Maddalena Pelù is an art historian and curator working internationally. Her practice bridges contemporary art, cultural heritage and interdisciplinary research, connecting artists, institutions and cultural narratives. She is the founder of Via L\*Arte, a research-driven curatorial practice developing exhibitions, cultural programmes and art itineraries for private and public patrons. She spent eight years at Galleria Continua, where she became Director of International Development, representing the gallery at leading art fairs and managing projects and collector relations internationally. She later led the artistic programme for a private Italian group, curating exhibitions on Isola Bisentina, commissioning new works – including a Third Paradise by Michelangelo Pistoletto – and advising on acquisitions for the family collection. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with established and emerging artists including Angela Anzi, Daniel Buren, Clara Rivault, Carlos Garaicoa, Jannis Kounellis, Marie-Luce Nadal, Nikhil Chopra, Matteo Nasini, Pascale Marthine Tayou and Lulù Nuti. She has developed projects with institutions and exhibitions including the Centre Pompidou, le 104-PARIS, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Venice Biennale, Fondazione Città dell’Arte and the Havana Biennial. She also contributes essays and exhibition texts to artist publications. Her research explores water as a cultural framework where art, science, mythology, memory and ecology intersect. Since 2017, she has served as an ambassador for ArtePro, a Mexican foundation supporting children in vulnerable situations through art. She holds a Master’s degree in Contemporary Art History from Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and a degree in Cultural Heritage Management from Ca’Foscari University of Venice.