About

Born in Lecce, Italy, Luisa Cotardo is a writer and broadcaster who also works as an artist to keep the ancient Italian technique of Cartapesta Leccese alive.

As a music and art journalist she has lived and worked across Europe and also in South Africa, hosting her own radio show on popular music for many years.

She has had the chance to interview world-famous musicians including Jeff Buckley, Stewart Copeland, Bob Geldof, Luciano Pavarotti, Lou Reed, Al Jarreau, Barry White, plus many more high-profile Italian musicians.

Her home Lecce, a small town in the southernmost area of Puglia, is well known for ancient craft of Cartapesta Leccese. An intricate process and one traditionally passed down through generations, the technique of creating beautiful objects with paper was taught to Luisa by some of Lecce's most renowned artisans.

Luisa has worked for the Italian Embassy in Paris, where she produced handcrafted decorations for some of their events.

Her works are in many private and public collections around the world.

The Brazilian author Paulo Coelho has one of Luisa's roses which was made with the covers of his books.

In 2006 she created a special and truly unique rose to mark the eightieth birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who expressed her great appreciation in a letter to her.

Luisa Cotardo has been living in London since 2005.

Red roses Luisa created for the statue of Saint Rita Cartapesta,
Saint Teresa Church, Lecce, Italy