This is the object that makes gallerist Shiro Muchiri’s stop and stare

Phoebe Frangoul
·2-min read
treasured shiro murichi
Gallerist Shiro Muchiri’s most treasured objectAndrew Urwin

The Italian artist Luca Alinari gave me this piece. He was the neighbour who sold us our house in Florence. The friendship developed because the process of buying was so slow, we decided to make a good meal of it, if you like! He was funny, intellectual, with so many interesting stories. It was extraordinary that we got on, because he didn’t get on with any of his neighbours.

When we finished building the house, he came for a tour, which took about six hours. We would look at one room, sit down and have coffee, then do the next one. He was about 75 at the time.

This little piece is actually a depiction of the sky above our house, the starscape he had been looking at for so many years. It makes me think about how important it is to stop and gaze, not to let life rush by.

Luca died in 2019, soon after giving me the painting, which I keep at my home in Florence as I continue to try to identify each star he was referring to. Meeting him changed how I see things. It was the most phenomenal masterclass I could ever hope to have. There are no rules. Art is not delicate. You shouldn’t treat it as something vulnerable.

I worry how I could have ended up knowing so little in my life if I hadn’t met him. It makes me angry that you cannot engage with art unless you’re educated in a certain way; it should be something you can grab, enjoy, criticise, laugh at.

That’s why we’re hosting salons at my gallery, SoShiro in Marylebone, where people can eat and relax with nothing between them and the art. No white walls, no rituals – just enjoy it with friends. soshiro.co

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