Maria Pia Bernardoni

Grateful for all the encounters and conversations in Lagos during the festival: grateful for the time shared, the ideas exchanged, and the bonds created. Spaces like this remind us how art can build a community that transcends borders, languages, and origins. A conscious community that chooses to think together, to try to understand the world and one another, and to open new spaces for dialogue, inclusion, and alternative perspectives. All of this is possible thanks to the bold and enlightened vision of people like @azubogu , thinking ahead of their time when first launching @lagosphotofestival

I am proud that my words will accompany this beautiful project that has deeply touched me since its inception. I wrote the introduction for Ça Va Aller by Joana Choumali, now part of the prestigious ONE PICTURE BOOK limited edition collection by Nazraeli Press (@nazraeli.press ). 500 numbered copies, each including a photograph printed on cotton canvas embellished with hand-stitching. A beautiful and deserved farewell and celebration for a work which inspires us “to mend what had been torn, to reconstruct beauty where only desolation appears to be left” * Thank you Joana for trusting me to talk about your work and to bring so much beauty and light with your art. Thank you to Giulia Zorzi, who started this and is always supportive. * For my friend in Italy, you will be able to get a copy at MICAMERA (@micamera_milan ) * ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ * Sono orgogliosa che le mie parole accompagneranno questo bellissimo progetto che mi ha profondamente toccata fin dai suoi esordi. Ho scritto l'introduzione per Ça Va Aller di Joana Choumali, ora parte della prestigiosa collezione in edizione limitata ONE PICTURE BOOK di Nazraeli Pres. 500 esemplari numerati, ognuno comprendente una fotografia stampata su tela di cotone impreziosita da cuciture a mano. Un bellissima e meritata celebrazione per un'opera che ci ispira “a riparare ciò che è stato strappato, a ricostruire la bellezza dove sembra essere rimasta solo la desolazione” * Grazie Joana per aver affidato il tuo lavoro alle mie parole e per portare tanta bellezza e luce con la tua arte. Grazie a Giulia Zorzi, che ha dato inizio a tutto questo ed è sempre di supporto. * Per i miei amici italiani, potrete trovare una copia presso MICAMERA (@micamera_milan ) * #joanachoumali #hope #photography #africanart

Meetings of worlds, Continents moving closer. I am proud of having played a part into the organization of the first Biennial of African photography in Spain. In Malaga, actually, where the european and the african coasts almost touch each others. Under the creative vision and direction of @owanto , 33 artists from 17 different African countries and the diaspora, and 3 european artists offers us a contemporary vision of our world. When an institution like La Térmica museum supports the organization of this type of cultural event, the most enriching consequence is the human encounters and exchanges taking place between artists and the public, between artists amongst themselves and in general all the professionals involved. And even more, the unintended consequences of the new relationships, ideas, dialogues and projects being born or taking shape in the cradle of such a platform. #buildingbridges #encounters #AfricanPhotograpgy #community #contenporaryart

C’è qualcosa di speciale quando una città diventa laboratorio, casa temporanea e fonte di ispirazione. A Livorno nasce OFF-SITE, un progetto di residenze d’artista pensato per chi vuole crescere nel mondo dell’arte contemporanea e della curatela. Se hai tra i 18 e i 35 anni e stai cercando uno spazio dove sviluppare la tua ricerca, confrontarti con altri artisti e curatori, e lavorare immerso in un contesto ricco di storia e stratificazioni, questa potrebbe essere l’occasione giusta. * Per sei mesi Livorno diventerà un luogo di lavoro, di studio e di scambio:
• 500 ore di alta formazione
• un budget per sviluppare il tuo progetto
• una mostra finale
• un alloggio condiviso
• un contributo mensile di 500 euro * Due residenze tematiche, due modi diversi di guardare la città: 🌊 La Città Liquida (maggio–ottobre 2026 🌍 La Sottile Linea Blu (novembre 2026–maggio 2027). Un invito a osservare Livorno da nuove prospettive: dal mare, dalla storia, dalle persone che l’hanno attraversata e continuano a trasformarla 🗓️ 
Tutti i dettagli per presentare le candidature nel link alla pagina di @offsite_livorno * Chiamata alle arti di @fondazionetrossiuberti insieme a @comunedilivorno @fondazionelivornoartecultura @itineralivorno @brikkebrakke @uovoallapop @8mmezzo

LE SINERGIE CHE FUNZIONANO CREANO BELLEZZA, MA SOPRATTUTTO MOVIMENTO CHE ATTRAVERSA LA CITTÀ OFF-SITE è la dimostrazione di come l’arte contemporanea, quando nasce da una collaborazione ampia e consapevole, possa innervare il tessuto sociale e generare nuove possibilità condivise per Livorno. *****Repost Fondazione Trossi Uberti***** La Regione Toscana finanzia un nuovo programma di Residenze artistiche a Livorno. 🌀OFF-SITE – LIVORNO OFFICINA PER L’ARTE CONTEMPORANEA nel 2026 accoglierà 16 artistə e curatricə under 36. ✌️È stato presentato ieri alla presenza della Vicepresidente della Regione Toscana Mia Diop, dell’Assessora alla Cultura Angela Rafanelli e di Angie de Santi Simonini Presidente della Fondazione d’arte Trossi-Uberti, il programma di Residenze per giovani artistə e curatricə vincitore del Bando regionale cofinanziato con i fondi FSE. ⛓️‍💥OFF-SITE LIVORNO di cui la Fondazione è capofila coinvolge, oltre al Comune di Livorno, istituzioni e realtà consolidate nella rete del contemporaneo: la Cooperativa Itinera, FLAC Fondazione Livorno Arte e Cultura, l’Associazione Uovo alla Pop, la Coop. Sociale Brikke Brakke, l’Associazione 8mmezzo. 📣OFF-SITE - Livorno, officina per l’arte contemporanea è vincitore del Bando della Regione Toscana “Sostegno alle transizioni verso un’occupazione stabile e di qualità nei beni culturali e nell’arte contemporanea: Residenze d’artista” destinato a giovani dai 18 ai 35 anni (under 36) e cofinanziato dal Programma regionale Fse+ 2021-2027. 🗝OFF-SITE rientra nell’ambito di Giovanisì, il progetto della Regione Toscana per l’autonomia dellə giovani e, grazie alle risorse assegnate che sfiorano i 300mila euro, consentirà a partire dalla primavera del 2026 di organizzare due residenze consecutive per 16 giovani (12 artistə e 4 curatricə) inoccupati o inattivi. 🔔Seguici: a inizio 2026 uscirà la Call! @comunedilivorno @itineralivorno @fondazionelivornoartecultura @uovoallapop @brikkebrakke @8mmezzo con @angela_rafanelli @angiesimonini @_mia.diop_ @veronicacarpita @cinzia.pagni @violadellosquidy @fricciolo @dvianelli @mariapiabernardoni @pierre55_87 @francegiari #riccardobargellini @regionetoscana @giovanisi.it

💛🧡La Grande Famiglia @svslivorno al servizio della Città 🧡💛

Listening to the Leaves as they breathe

Robin Riskin and Maria Pia Bernardoni tell us about LagosPhoto 2025! — LagosPhoto 2025 continues its inquiry into how images shape the world. Under the curatorial theme Incarceration, this year’s edition examines the many forms of confinement that define contemporary life: political, digital, ecological, and psychological. Join us as LagosPhoto 2025 turns the act of seeing into an act of reflection, resistance, and renewal. All LagosPhoto festival locations remain open till November 29 — #lagosphotofestival #lagos #lagosphoto25 #visualpolitics #photographyasaddress #powerofimages #assumedviewer #ideologicalframing #criticalvisualpractice #alternativepublics #visualagency #reflexiveimagery #politicsofrepresentation

Once a colonial-era prison, Freedom Park in Lagos now stands as a symbol of transformation — a vibrant space where people gather freely to enjoy greenery, music, food, and art. There could be no more fitting place to open this year’s exhibitions, given the festival’s theme: incarceration. “An African Spot” by PostboxGhana explores the politics of representing the palm tree in West Africa, juxtaposing colonial photographs with contemporary commercial imagery. The installation reveals how this emblem of “the tropical” has been reduced to a commodity and decoration, obscuring its cultural, ecological, and spiritual meanings. The images printed on photosensitive aluminum plates that gradually fade in sunlight, evokes the palm’s release from imposed narratives and its re-emergence as a living, layered presence. “Afrotopias” is an artistic and research-based project devoted to the cultures of West and East Africa. At its core lies a series of exhibitions portraying the contemporary image of Sub-Saharan Africa through the lenses of young artists from the continent. Their works - mostly artistic photography - employ metaphor, stylization, and a distinctive visual language to explore themes such as evolving visual sensitivity, attitudes toward tradition, spirituality, and cultural practices, as well as the challenges of shaping gender identity, the paradoxes of modern capitalism, and relationships with nature in the face of the climate crisis. @witek.orski @nabillahtou , @amymuhoro @dzidula_k , @idontliketrumpverymuch @krakowphotomonth @lagosphotofestival @rriskinitall

Open Call for Portfolio Review ✨🥁 The Heritage Oil × LagosPhoto Portfolio Review 2025 invites photographers across all genres to present their most compelling bodies of work for critical engagement and recognition. This open call seeks visionary creators who blend conceptual rigor, technical mastery, and narrative depth to submit portfolios that challenge perception and expand the boundaries of visual storytelling. Two photographers whose submissions best exemplify innovation, clarity of vision, and emotional intelligence in their craft will each receive ₦1,000,000 as recognition of artistic excellence and contribution to contemporary African photography. Applicants must be 18 years or older and should submit a cohesive body of 12-24 photographs, alongside a biography, CV, artist statement, and project synopsis. All materials should be compiled in PDF format and emailed to [email protected] with the subject line Application: Portfolio Review before November 6, 2025. Guided by a distinguished jury — Maria Pia, Chris Iduma, Yvonne Etinosa, and Courage Kpodo — this initiative forms part of LagosPhoto 2025: Incarceration. This is an opportunity to enter a dialogue with leading thinkers in African visual culture, gain critical feedback, and position your work within an international platform dedicated to shaping the future of photography. — LagosPhoto 2025 continues its inquiry into how images shape the world. Under the curatorial theme Incarceration, this year’s edition examines the many forms of confinement that define contemporary life: political, digital, ecological, and psychological. Join us as LagosPhoto 2025 turns the act of seeing into an act of reflection, resistance, and renewal. — #lagosphotofestival #lagos #lagosphoto25 #visualpolitics #photographyasaddress #powerofimages #assumedviewer #ideologicalframing #criticalvisualpractice #alternativepublics #visualagency #reflexiveimagery #politicsofrepresentation

5 photographers from Burundi photo lab traveled to Lagos to visit LagosPhoto and take part in the festival activities. Through workshops and encounters with fellow artists and professionals, they found new inspiration and opportunities to grow. Today they had portfolio review session with Maria Pia (@mariapiabernardoni ), Robin Riskin (@rriskinitall ), Loris (@loris_savino ), Laurence (@lolocornet ) and Giulietta (@giuliettapalumbo ) from Magnum Photos (@magnumphotos ). To strengthen a Pan-African spirit of collaboration, AAF hosted the Burundi Photo Lab, an initiative for Burundian photographers run by Martina Bacigalupo (@martibaccifoto ) and Benedicte Kurzen (@benedicte_kurzen ). Once again, LagosPhoto proves to be a vibrant space for meeting, sharing knowledge, learning, building trans-African connections — and beyond. 🌍✨