Il Silenzio delle Ombre
Antonio Schiavano Photographic Exhibition
Antonio Schiavano‘s exhibition “Il Silenzio delle Ombre” explores the transience of beauty and the fragility of esthetic conventions thru approximately 140 artworks drawn from the photographic projects “The Beauty and the Bane,” “Dysmorphia,” Reflections, Languishing, The Wait e Shades, exhibited in 12 rooms of the prestigious Palazzo Granafei Nervegna in Brindisi.
An immersive journey revolving around the concept of Photomorphia – a neologism coined by the author himself – which blends photography and material manipulation, transforming the image into a sensory and conceptual experience. Thru his works, the artist deconstructs and redefines the relationship between reality and representation, inviting the viewer to reflect on the perception of beauty and the power of art to reveal what usually remains hidden.
The installation and vernissage of the exhibition “Il Silenzio delle Ombre” by Antonio Schiavano
The exhibition concludes with three sections that reveal new facets of Schiavano’s artistic research:
In the room dedicated to the professional journey, some projects created for the beauty, still life, and cosmetics sectors are on display, a testament to a photographic practice capable of combining technical rigor and esthetic sensitivity.
The Amarcord section, on the other hand, features the first shots taken by the author in his hometown, Brindisi: still life images that already hint at his experimental nature and the urgency of a creativity in progress, alongside photographs depicting urban scenes and moments of daily life now crystallized in time, like fragments of an affective and collective memory.
Finally, the room that gives the entire exhibition its title, Il Silenzio delle Ombre, houses a series of shots set in some cities that are particularly significant for the author. Here, Schiavano re-evaluates the concept of shadow, restoring its positive value: No longer an absence of light, but tangible proof of its existence. Shadow becomes a generative element, a compositional and emotional focal point that shapes, balances, and amplifies the depth of the image.
SPONSORSHIP AND PATRONAGE
Under the patronage and support of the Municipality of Brindisi, Province of Brindisi, Region of Puglia, “Francesco Ribezzo” Archeological Museum, Brindisi-Taranto Chamber of Commerce, AFI – Archivio Fotografico Italiano, AFIP, FIAF e Confesercenti Brindisi, Il Silenzio delle Ombre establishes itself as a significant event in the Apulian cultural landscape, highlighting the territory as a space for artistic innovation and contemporary dialog.
The event is made possible thanks to the valuable contribution of the Main Sponsors: Zoosafari of Fasano, Ceramiche Nicola Fasano and 10 Watt Milano.
We would also like to thank the Sponsors: Cantiere Navale Danese, Piliego Servizi Doganali and Titi Shipping for their support.
Discover the exhibited art projects:
A visual journey that delves into the intricacies of identity, suspended between fragility and awareness. A silent narrative that sheds light on what remains invisible, suggesting a return to the origin, to the individual’s most sincere voice, beyond the shadows of the past.
A silent narrative in which gestures and silences reveal deep dimensions of being. Figures suspended between light and emptiness tell of inner journeys made of fragility and power, opening up paths of recognition in the gaze of the observer.
A delicate investigation that traverses forms and perceptions, dissolving boundaries to restore an image free from stereotypes. In this gaze, a gesture of redemption is revealed, where each visual fragment becomes a silent voice of authenticity and rebirth.
A visual exploration that delves beyond appearances, restoring meaning to imperfections. Every mark becomes a revelation, every manual intervention a critical act against the falsification of reality. The result is a visceral manifesto that challenges imposed models and directs the gaze back to the truth of forms.
A dive into the instability of self-image, where restless silhouettes slip between appearance and desire. The works explore the influence of external judgments on identity construction, presenting a dense, fragile, deeply human emotional landscape.
A perceptual journey between visual harmonies and imperfect constructions, where meaning lies hidden in the relationship between the parts. The works evoke subtle connections between memory, cinema, and intuition, inviting the gaze to get lost in the details and recompose ever-new meanings.
A visual narrative that retraces decisive stages, between experiments, insights, and necessary deviations. A tapestry of experiences, techniques, and visions that forms the foundation of a coherent and mature research, where each image retains the mark of time and the trace of an authenticity in continuous evolution.
A look at the origins, between experimentation and nascent insights, where each image tells the desire to discover and observe the world with fresh eyes. It’s a visual diary that intertwines private memories and urban landscapes, allowing the poetry of beginnings and the silent strength of creative instinct to emerge.
A visual research that transforms what normally remains on the margins into a silent protagonist. Spaces, architectures, and moments of quiet become tools to tell the mystery of vision, where every contrast reveals unexpected meanings and the invisible takes shape.
Opening Reception | July 20, 2025
Il Silenzio delle Ombre opened its doors to the public with an intense and well-attended inaugural event on Sunday, July 20, 2025, in the historic spaces of Palazzo Granafei Nervegna, located at Via Duomo 20 in Brindisi.
A special occasion that marked the official start of Antonio Schiavano‘s new major photographic exhibition: A meeting between art and the public where it was possible to listen, observe, be moved, and engage in direct dialog with the author, who was present to discuss his creative journey and the hidden meanings behind his works.
The meeting was moderated by Mimmo Saponaro, a journalist and art and literature critic, while the presentation was given by Vincenzo Sparviero, a journalist and director of Telerama, a deep connoisseur of the Apulian cultural scene. A moment of openness that initiated an authentic dialog between image, thought, and territory, involving those present not just as spectators, but as active participants in a shared artistic experience.
The vernissage concluded with refreshments offered thanks to the kind support of the technical sponsors: Cantine Due Palme, Udial, and Cantine D’Urso.
THE EXHIBITION
A look inside the exhibition path of Il Silenzio delle Ombre: Twelve rooms of Palazzo Granafei Nervegna, located at 20 Via Duomo in Brindisi, are hosting the photographic works of Antonio Schiavano in a captivating dialog between art and architecture.
The exhibition is open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM until September 30, 2025. Admission is free.
