ANTONIO SCHIAVANO – FINE-ART PHOTOGRAPHER IN MILAN
ANTONIO SCHIAVANO
FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHER
The Fine-Art Photography of Antonio Schiavano
Every image tells a story, and my goal is to capture the essence and beauty of my subjects in a way that is both unique and immersive. In creating my works, I constantly strive to find the perfect balance of light, color, and composition, offering a fresh perspective on reality. This creative journey has led me to coin the neologism Fotomorfia, my own distinctive technique—blending photography with material manipulation—allowing me to transform the image into a sensory and conceptual experience.
Telling stories through images lies at the heart of my fine art photography. By experimenting with light, shadows, and materials, I create new forms—often abstract—to reveal hidden details within everyday life. I seek the perfect balance of light, color, and composition, offering a fresh perspective on reality. This journey has given rise to Fotomorfia, a technique that merges photography with material manipulation, transforming the image into a sensory and conceptual experience.
Explore my fine art photography work in Milan through the galleries below and let yourself be captivated by the magic of fine art photography.
ABOUT ME
My journey into photography began in 1981, at the age of 17, with a Ricoh KR-10 reflex camera, a gift from my father. At first, I had no idea how to use it, but I soon realized it would become my language. Growing up in Brindisi, where photography was synonymous with wedding shoots, I chose from the very start to explore different paths, challenging the prejudice that reduced photographic art to mere technique.
I began with still life, an ideal medium for studying light on static subjects. No flash—only self-built lighting—and even today, I am amazed by how extraordinary results can emerge from the simplest means. In 1983, I found my place at the Circolo Fotografico Grandangolo in Brindisi, where I met friends and mentors who encouraged me to turn my passion into a career. In 1988, as a self-taught photographer, I presented my first portfolio in Milan, and within two months, Art Director Giancarlo Rovagnati entrusted me with my first professional assignment.
A pivotal encounter in my journey was with Renato Marcialis, a dear friend and colleague with whom I still share the 10 Watt studios. From him, I learned the discipline and perseverance essential to a photographer—qualities I later passed on during my years as a lecturer in academies and institutes. Teaching is another of my great passions: in my workshops, I don’t focus on technique but on method, guiding each participant to discover their own voice rather than becoming a mere replica. My greatest satisfaction? Seeing many of my former students establish themselves as successful professionals.
In over 40 years of career, I have collaborated with brands and Art Directors, always striving to leave my mark, experimenting and finding inspiration everywhere. Research has been the cornerstone of my artistic journey, leading me to develop fine art photography projects aimed at telling the story of the world around me through the visual power of images.
My journey in photography began in 1981, at the age of 17, with a camera gifted by my father. In 1983, I found my creative home at the Circolo Fotografico Grandangolo in Brindisi, where friends and mentors encouraged me to turn this passion into a career. In 1988, as a self-taught photographer, I secured my first professional assignment in Milan thanks to Art Director Giancarlo Rovagnati. A pivotal encounter was with Renato Marcialis, a close friend and colleague with whom I still share the 10 Watt studios. From him, I learned discipline and perseverance—values I later passed on during my years as a lecturer. Teaching is another of my passions: in my workshops, I guide participants to discover their own voice, avoiding mere imitation. Over the course of my 40-year career, I have worked with brands and Art Directors, always leaving my unique imprint. Research has been the heart of my journey, leading me to develop fine art photography projects aimed at telling the world’s story through images.
Exhibitions and Publications by Antonio Schiavano Fine Art Photographer
The section below lists Antonio Schiavano’s most significant exhibitions and publications. These exhibitions and editorial collaborations represent a steadfast commitment to the field of fine art photography, offering a privileged insight into the most celebrated works.
EXHIBITS:
(un)fair 2024 – From February 29 to March 3, 2024, at Superstudio Maxi in Milan (IT).
– UNFORGETTABLE – March 13 to April 7, 2024 at Hub/Art in Milan (IT)
– Lucca Art Fair 2024 – April 19-21, 2024 at Real Collegio in Lucca (IT)
– “Les Italiens” at Festival OFF Arles – July 1-7, 2024 in Arles, France
– COLORS: Vintage & Future – From September 14 to November 17, 2024, at the Silk Museum in Como (IT).
– The Beauty and the Bane – From November 16 to December 13, 2024, at Spazio 53 Gallery in Voghera (IT).
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:
– The Beauty and the Bane – From March 22 to April 4, 2025, at Con/Temporary Spaces in Turin
– Fotomorfia – From April 17 to May 7, 2025, at Fine Art Studio Gallery – Colonne S. Lorenzo in Milan
– The Phair – Photo Art Fair with AD Gallery – From May 8 to May 11, 2025, at OGR in Turin
– Il Silenzio delle Ombre – From July 20 to September 10, 2025 – Retrospective exhibition at Palazzo Nervegna in Brindisi
PUBLICATIONS:
– ImageMag magazine, october 2023 – Great Authors column, Author of the Month
– Corriere della Sera, 1 March 2024 – Culture insert of Milan
– Art & Glamour magazine, March 2024
– Ri-nascita, 2024 – The first monographic volume by A. Schiavano, featuring the fine art projects: “The Wait”, “Languishing”, and “Reflections”.
– COLORS: Vintage & Future, september 2024 – book of the exhibition
THEY SAY ABOUT ME
Write a review:
Trovo l’idea che sta dietro al progetto The Beauty and the Bane davvero profonda. Avendo una figlia adolescente vittima dei social network, delle influencer, delle tendenze online capisco l’urgenza di comunicare questo messaggio in qualsiasi forma. Ha solo 15 anni e mi ha già chiesto di sottoporsi ad un intervento di chirurgia estetica. Mi sono ovviamente rifiutato di assecondarla, ma temo che appena raggiunti i 18 anni vorrà procedere in autonomia. A tal proposito ho deciso di omaggiare questa riflessione con un mio componimento in lingua pugliese, lingua della mia defunta madre, donna bellissima, attrice di teatro che a causa di un incidente stradale si ritrovò con una orrenda ferita sulla guancia destra, ma che nonostante questo, mai smise di emanare bellezza: la bellezza unica della sua imperfezione.
Fòsce
⸻
Crìje ’na facce
ca mo’ no s’conòsce cchiù
Era bbella
ma bbella
comu nu’ quadro stampatu
mo’
ce sta ‘n’urtu
’n colpu d’pittura
’n tagghiu
’n grattacore
L’arte mo’ no sciosce
la lev’
la scav’
comu ’na manu ca cerca
’ntra le pieghe
E tuttu quidd’ ca pareva
rimaste appiccecate
comu ‘nu specchiu
se sfrangia
Na facce
senza nomme
ma cu tuttu lu core
mbràccia allu veru
Ogni segnu
è ‘na verità
ca vene fore
e la bbellezze
mo’
pare viva.
a me piace dipingere e per adesso sto affrescando le pareti della mia casa in campagna in pianura padana e mentre cercavo ispirazione online sono finita a scoprire “The Beauty and the Bane”. Innanzitutto complimenti per il gioco di parole che richiama il film “The Beauty and the Beast” per affrontare poi questo dualismo tra la bellezza canonica e quella autentica, alludendo quindi al fatto che nella società odierna sia proprio la bellezza stereotipata la “Beast” della situazione. Applausi!
Penso che Antonio Schiavano sia un artista vero, di quelli che smuovono l’anima. A 90 anni credevo di aver visto tutto, ma il suo The Beauty and the Bane mi ha tolto il fiato. Quelle immagini ferite, consumate, eppure così vive! Mi sono sentito di fronte a uno specchio dell’esistenza, dove la bellezza non è solo superficie, ma respiro, sofferenza, memoria. Mi sono innamorato di questa visione, al punto da scrivere una poesia ispirata alle sue opere. Grazie per avermi ricordato che l’arte può ancora sorprendermi.
The Beauty and the Bane
Sventrata bellezza, / dai crateri del tuo viso / sgorga il pianto dell’arte. / Non sei più specchio liscio, / né curva senza peso, / ma cicatrice viva, / che grida il tuo nome / contro il soffio arrogante della perfezione.
Hanno inciso il tuo corpo, / pelle di seta strappata, / perché non potessi più servire / il dio delle ombre lisce, / quello che tutto standardizza / e nulla redime.
Ma tu, ribelle muta, / hai spalancato la bocca: / non per sorridere, / ma per inghiottire il giudizio, / l’ideale fasullo / che ti ha imposto il silenzio.
Oli e vernici, / abrasioni e ferite, / ti hanno fatto vera, / come la pietra che si spezza / e rivela il diamante nascosto.
Nelle tue crepe ho visto / la fragilità dell’umano, / l’orrore del conformarsi, / e l’infinita grazia / di chi si rifiuta di essere domato.
Sei il corpo della terra, / il volto della ribellione, / il canto stonato / che rompe la marcia dell’uguale.
E nella tua distruzione, / nel tuo disfarsi, / sei rinata. / Non come bellezza, /ma come verità.
I am truly captivated by the concept behind “The Beauty and the Bane” project! I deeply appreciate this type of artistic research, this approach to work, and, above all, the critique of the culture of standardized beauty and beauty at any cost. We are so manipulated by those in power who dictate what is considered beautiful, that we are willing to undergo invasive surgeries just to delay aging or to appear as “beautiful” as celebrities. Beauty has become a commodity, with large corporations thriving and growing richer by fueling our sense of inadequacy and our pursuit of homogenized beauty. This is precisely why this project holds immense significance! It seeks to expose this false, standardized beauty and return to authenticity, to the original and indelible beauty that makes us unique, that allows us to be ourselves… and most importantly, to stand out and not be forgotten.
Ho avuto l’opportunità di ammirare personalmente alcune delle fotografie di Antonio Schiavano alla fiera d’arte contemporanea di Unfair 2024, su consiglio di un suo collaboratore, un tempo tra i migliori attori nella mia compagnia. Sono rimasto profondamente colpito dal progetto “Languishing”, in cui ogni soggetto sembra essere il protagonista di un dramma teatrale che si dipana sotto gli occhi di uno spettatore capace di condividere le stesse emozioni e quindi di sperimentare una piena empatia. Ho apprezzato enormemente la maestria tecnica e l’attenzione dedicata ai testi descrittivi. Torno in Sicilia con nuove ispirazioni per i miei futuri progetti. I miei più sinceri complimenti.
Apprezzo lo studio e la ricerca che sta dietro ogni scatto di questo fotografo. È palpabile come niente sia lasciato al caso, ma frutto di un talento che è innato in un vero artista: qualcosa che non si può imparare, ma solo ammirare e goderne, forse anche con un po’ di sana invidia.
fine-art photographer in milan
Fine-Art Photographer in Milan: The Art of Antonio Schiavano
Antonio Schiavano is a Milan-based fine-art photographer recognized for his ability to capture and reinterpret unique moments of everyday life and transform them into thought-provoking works of art. Each work is a visual journey that explores the beauty and complexity of the world through his artistic vision. With an innate passion for light and composition, Antonio creates images that evoke deep emotions and reflect his desire to express himself through this art. Discover his collections and be inspired by his distinctive vision of fine-art photography.
