2026 UCB Mito Art Show

Eterno – The Bridge of Art – This photograph was taken in Florence, a city that represents far more than a destination. Living with a rare mitochondrial disease means navigating invisible limitations every day. For Aurora, art is a bridge. Photography, architecture, and beauty provide freedom, space to breathe, and a way to move beyond the boundaries imposed by illness. Florence becomes a symbol of healing, carrying the viewer from vulnerability to wonder, and from fragility to the freedom of imagination.

Bio: Aurora Deriu is a person shaped by difference and inspired by the beauty found in fragility. Living with mitochondrial disease has taught her to see the world through a different lens, transforming vulnerability into strength. Through her art, she explores invisible struggles, resilience, and the courage to keep moving forward.

Lenù – “Lenù” tells the story of Elena, a teenager living with Leigh syndrome. This photograph captures the strength found within family relationships and the everyday gestures of love that surround her. It portrays a bridge built from care, connection, and shared experience, reminding us that even in moments of vulnerability, life remains deeply meaningful and beautiful.

Bio: Manuela Podda is an Italian photographer whose work combines her healthcare background with a personal understanding of illness. Her photography explores human vulnerability, oncological journeys, and pediatric palliative care. Through the project “Lenù,” she documents the reality of rare diseases and the powerful networks of support that surround them.

When My Energy Fades, Yours Becomes My Bridge – “This bridge in Japan represents much more than a place we crossed together. My daughter lives with mitochondrial disease. Throughout our journey, there have been moments when her energy was limited, paths that seemed harder to cross, and obstacles we could never have anticipated. But our story is not only about illness. It is about connection, trust, resilience, discovery and hope.”

Bio: Karen is 22 years old and has mitochondrial disease. She loves drawing, cooking, dancing and traveling speacialy in Asia. I’m Emma her mum, and president of AMMi the French mito organisation and caregiver of Karen and so proud of her.

L’Urlo di Edo – L’Urlo di Edo (“Edo’s Scream”) symbolizes life with a rare genetic condition that can be beautiful yet extremely demanding. The artist portrays himself at the age of seven, when he received his mitochondrial disease diagnosis. The scream represents the importance of expressing emotions, finding support, and having someone to turn to during difficult moments. It is a powerful reminder that vulnerability and strength can coexist.

Bio: Edoardo Monego is an 11-year-old boy from Italy living with Autosomal DominantWhen a genetic condition is caused by a change to one of someone's two copies of a gene. Autosomal conditions do not include the X or Y chromosome. Optic Atrophy (ADOA), a mitochondrial disease. He enjoys rugby, sports, and many creative pursuits. He credits artist Natascia Artico for introducing him to art and is grateful for the support that Mitocon provides to him and his family.

Beyond the Break in the Bridge – This artwork explores the journey from loss and uncertainty toward strength and hope. Inspired by the impact of LHON on the connection between the eye and the brain, the broken bridge becomes a metaphor for disruption and challenge. Moving beyond that break represents courage, perseverance, and the determination to find a path toward light despite obstacles and uncertainty.

Bio: Daniela Bragato is 59 years old and has lived with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) since 2022. She found support and encouragement through Mitocon, whose expertise and community helped her feel less alone and gave her strength to navigate the challenges of her condition.

The Energy Between Us – This piece reflects the daily reality of living with mitochondrial disease. It symbolizes perseverance, resilience, and determination despite limited energy resources. Through the metaphor of crossing a bridge cell by cell, it celebrates the strength required to keep moving forward.

Bio: Paul Jorden is an artist and graphic designer whose work has appeared in commercial packaging throughout the UK. Following his mitochondrial disease diagnosis more than two decades ago, he founded the charity Muscular Art Donations, using art to raise awareness and support for the Mito community.

Bridges We Build – Inspired by the exhibition theme, this poem celebrates connection, support, and community within the mitochondrial disease world. It encourages people to build strong relationships and meaningful bridges with one another.

Bio: Joy Krumdiack has been writing poetry since childhood and often finds that poetry communicates thoughts more naturally than prose. Living with mitochondrial disease, she also serves as a Support Ambassador for the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.

Rare – “Rare” explores what it means to live with a rare condition through the lens of language and identity. Beginning with the meaning of the word itself, the poem evolves into a reflection on the realities of living with a rare disease and the unique perspectives it brings.

Bio: Carlotta Rua is a 23-year-old Italian student living with MELAS. Passionate about writing and linguistics, she uses poetry as a powerful tool to express her experiences, thoughts, and reflections on life with a rare condition.

Unboxed – It’s a poem about having a rare condition and living with it. Starting from the meaning of the word “rare”, as I’m very interested in linguistics, and getting to a more concrete point of understanding what a rare condition is.

Bio: “I’m a 23 years old Italian girl living with Melas, I’ve always been writing a lot and in the past few years I realised this kind of poetry helps me express myself and my thoughts. I’m currently studying at university.”

My Rendition of “River Flows in You” by Yiruma – Music has always been a bridge between challenge and creativity for Matthew. His interpretation of Yiruma’s “River Flows in You” reflects the ability to find calm in moments of uncertainty and stress. The piece symbolizes how creativity can provide comfort, connection, and self-expression while navigating life with a disability.

Bio: Matthew Cech is a 21-year-old Medical Laboratory Technician from New York. Diagnosed with a mitochondrial disorder at age three, he has remained deeply involved in the Mito community through advocacy, fundraising, and awareness initiatives. Music has been one of his lifelong passions.

The Rainbow – “The Rainbow” reimagines the rainbow as a bridge that connects places, people, energy, and beauty. Inspired by the exhibition theme, it celebrates connection, hope, and the power of unity across distances and experiences.

Bio: Paula Morandi is a published author, poet, patient advocate, and Chair of International Mito Patients. Her advocacy work spans international conferences, the Italian Senate, and the European Parliament.

Mito Con Te – The song is intended as an anthem for MITOCON. Its lyrics speak about the healing power hidden within each of us. Nobody can reveal it to us; we have to discover it for ourselves.

Bio: Patrizia inherited her musical talent from her father, who was both a trumpeter and a singer. She later took guitar and piano lessons and explored sacred music and Gospel before developing her own direction in pop and spiritual music. Her personal connection to the mitochondrial disease community comes through her husband, who is affected by LHON.

I Am Rare – “I Am Rare” offers a different perspective on living with a rare disease by comparing it to the beauty and uniqueness of a rare red diamond. Rather than focusing on limitations, the poem celebrates individuality, value, and resilience.

Bio: Paula Morandi is a published author, poet, patient advocate, and Chair of International Mito Patients. Living in Rome, she represents LHON patients in Italy and regularly speaks at conferences and public institutions to raise awareness of mitochondrial diseases.

Lettre à un A.M.Mi – Art builds bridges beyond illness and disability. Through “Lettre à un A.M.Mi”, Givme 5 (Stephane Germain and Isabelle Cros-Grigis) transforms the experience of living with mitochondrial disease into music. Choreographed by V D’Art (Vanessa Darras), dancers with disabilities and professional dancers bring the lyrics to life. Together, music and dance create a bridge between different worlds, making the invisible visible and carrying a powerful message of inclusion, solidarity and hope. 

Bio: Karen is 22 years old and has mitochondrial disease. She loves drawing, cooking, dancing and traveling specially in Asia. I’m Emma her mum, and president of AMMi the French mito organisation and caregiver of Karen and so proud of her.