A Luscious Reveal of Michele Iacobini’s Photography at LUCA

At LUCA, a Michelin-starred Italian restaurant in Clerkenwell, a debut exhibition by Michele Iacobini captures the warmth and stillness of a Sicilian summer.

Earlier in July, LUCA — Clerkenwell’s Michelin-starred Modern Italian — opened its doors to its debut art exhibition. Those who stay and those who leave, a body of work by emerging Italian photographer Michele Iacobini, draws an unhurried bridge between the restaurant’s refined hospitality and the quiet drama of a Sicilian summer. It feels like a natural pairing — like LUCA’s elegant dishes and Michele’s cinematic eye were made to come together at the same table.

Michele’s photographs transport you to Sicily in mid-August, where Ferragosto sets the island into a gentle, timeless rhythm: Palermo’s streets pause under the midday heat, while the shoreline sparkles with families, food, and celebration. Arancini and handmade pasta are served with the same quiet confidence that defines LUCA’s kitchen—each bite a reflection of the very landscapes Michele brings to life.

Shot on medium-format 6×7 film, Michele’s work has a painter’s patience. There is no rush, no instant gratification — only the satisfaction of a moment caught at its peak. His colours are vivid yet touched by nostalgia, steeped in a warmth that feels both fleeting and enduring, like memories you half-remember but never lost.

This exhibition is more than photography on restaurant walls — it’s LUCA opening another channel for storytelling. Each framed print, produced in editions of three, feels like a keepsake from an Italian summer once lived or yet to come. And just as LUCA’s menu marries Italian roots with British seasonality, Michele’s images hold a balance between intimacy and openness, drawing you close before letting your mind wander beyond the frame.

“Michele is one of our favourite photographers,” says Creative Director Johnny Smith. “He captures moments that are heartfelt and unrehearsed.” The sentiment holds — his work is human in its detail and generous in its gaze. LUCA has already hinted that this won’t be their last exhibition, signalling the start of a tradition where food and art sit comfortably at the same table.

Those who stay and those who leave runs at LUCA, Clerkenwell, from Monday 14th July to Saturday 6th September. Prints are available to purchase online and on-site.

©2025 Michele Iacobini