Davide Monteleone

Davide Monteleone (born 1974) is an Italian visual artist, researcher, and National Geographic Fellow. His multidisciplinary work encompasses photography, visual journalism, writing, and interdisciplinary projects, focusing on themes such as geopolitics, geography, identity, data, and science.

Early life and education

Monteleone was born in Italy. He initially pursued engineering studies but later shifted his focus to photography and journalism, studying in the United States and the United Kingdom. He holds a Master's in art and politics from Goldsmiths, University of London.

Career

In 2000, Monteleone began his career, collaborating with various Italian and international publications. By the end of 2001, he moved to Moscow, where he resided until 2021, immersing himself in Russian culture and society. This experience significantly influenced his subsequent work, leading to the publication of his first book, Dusha ("Soul"), in 2007.

Monteleone has produced several monographs, including Red Thistle (2012), Spasibo (2013), and The April Theses (2017). His projects often explore complex narratives that merge visual storytelling with investigative research. In 2022, he released Sinomocene, a data-driven investigation into China's economic expansion, presented as both an exhibition and a book.

In 2024, Monteleone completed Critical Minerals—Geography of Energy, an exploration into the geopolitical and environmental stakes of energy transition resources, continuing his examination of climate and economic impacts on a global scale.

In 2013 Monteleone appeared in the series of 12 episode of "Fotografi" for Sky Arte.

Exhibitions and recognition

Monteleone's work has been featured in National Geographic, Time, and The New Yorker. His exhibitions have been shown in the Saatchi Gallery in London, the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris, and the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome.

Awards and honours

Throughout his career, Monteleone has received numerous accolades, including: 2024: Winner, Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2024: Deloitte Photo Grant 2024: Sony World Photography Awards 2019: National Geographic Storytelling Fellowship 2016: Asia Society Fellowship 2013: Carmignac Photojournalism Award

Publications Publications by Monteleone Душа (Dusha) = Anima russa. Rome: Edizioni Postcart, 2007. . With text by Viktor Erofeev and Margherita Belgiojoso. La Linea Inesistente: Viaggio Lungo la ex Cortina di Ferro. Rome: Contrasto, 2009. . Holler – Enel Contemporanea – H+, 2012. Red Thistle, 2012. Rote Distel. Heidelberg: Kehrer. . Red Thistle. Stockport: Dewi Lewis. . Chardon Rouge. Arles: Actes Sud. . Cardo Rosso. Rome: Peliti. . Спасибо (Spasibo) = Spasibo. Heidelberg: Kehrer, 2013. . With text in French and English by Galia Ackerman and Masha Gessen. The April Theses. Postcart, 2017. Sinomocene (2022) Critical Minerals. Geography of Energy (2024)

Publications with contributions by Monteleone War is Only Half the Story: Ten Years of The Aftermath Project. Dewi Lewis, 2018. Poems by Wislawa Szymborska, texts by Clare Cavanagh, Donald Weber and Sara Terry and photographs by more than forty Aftermath Award winners.

Awards 2005: Prize Amilcare Ponchielli "C’era una volta CCCP" 2nd prize at the Amilcare Ponchielli Milano 2006: World Press Photo Israeli bombing in Lebanon – 1° Prize Spot news stories 2007: TAF (Toscana Arti Fotografiche) prize, Lucca Digital Photo Fest, Lucca, for "Dusha – Russian Soul" 2008: IPA Award 2008 2nd place best book Dusha; 1st place general news editorial "Pakistan Turning Point" 2008: FotoGrafia-Book Award Best book at FotoGrafia Festival in Rome 2008: Premio Marco Bastianelli, for Dusha 2008: PDN Photo annual award Magazine Editorial Categories for Internazionale 2008: World Press Photo Abkhazia – 1° Prize General news stories 2009: Finalist for Aftermath Project grant, for "Fringe of Empire" 2009: Leica Oskar Barnack Award finalist "Russian Caucasus" 2010: Lumix Freelens Award Winner Freelens award "Northern Caucasus" 2010: Emerging Photographer Grant 2010 winner, Burn magazine, for "Northern Caucasus" 2010: Sony World Photography Awards: Professional Contemporary Issues Category, 2nd prize: "The Republic of Dagestan" 2011: Aftermath Project Grant Winner with "Red Thistle, The Northern Caucasus Journey" 2011 European Publishers Award for Photography "Red Thistle" 2011: Follow your convictions grant "Reversed See" – Maurice Lacroix – World Press Photo foundation 2011: World Press Photo Milan Fashion Week – 2nd Prize Art single 2012: EPEA 01 grant "Harragas" 2012: Awakening World Award, Tehran art project, Iran "Reversed see series": Photography section, best artist works 2013: Fondation Carmignac Photojournalism Award Spasibo 2013: POYi Feature Multimedia Story, second place, for "Nordic Odyssey: A Month at Sea". With Myles Kane, Kristina Budelis, Elissa Curtis, and The New Yorker 2014: Honorable mention Aperture Portfolio Prize, New York City 2014: PDN Best Book Award 2014, USA 2016: Fellowship Asia Society, ChinaFile, USA 2017: Finalist, W. Eugene Smith, W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund, New York City 2017: Winner CodiceMIA, MIA Fair, Milano, Italy 2019: Finalist BMW Residency, Paris Photo, France 2019: National Geographic Storytelling Fellowship, USA 2020: Finalist, Leica Oskar Barnack Award, GE 2020: One of ten joint winners, Luis Roederer Discovery Award, Rencontres d'Arles, Arles, France

Solo exhibitions

Dusha, Lucca Foto Festival, Lucca, IT, 2007. Rencontres d'Arles, Arles, France; B gallery, Rome, 2008. Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome; Micamera, Milan, 2009. Casa studio Morandi, Modena, IT, 2013. La Linea Inesistente, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome, 2009. Ortygia, Siracuse, IT, 2010. Ombre di Guerra, Rotonda della Besana, Milan, 2009. Maison européenne de la photographie, Paris, 2011. Red Thistle, Castello Estense, Ferrara, Italy, Festival giornalismo di Internazionale; Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Trento and Rovereto, Rovereto, IT; Lumix Festival, Hannover, 2010. Rencontres d'Arles, New York; VII Gallery, New York; Petite Noire Gallery, Paris; Freelens gallery, Hamburg, 2012. Bursa Festival, Bursa, TR; Officine Fotografiche, Rome; Micamera, Milan, 2013. Harragas, European photography Award, House of Photography, Hamburg, 2012; Nobel prize Center, Oslo, 2013. Spasibo, Chapelle de l'école de beaux arts, 2013. Saatchi Gallery, London; Frankfurt Photo Forum, Frankfurt; Rencontres d'Arles, Arles, France; Museo Messina, Milan, 2014.