Danilo Zocatelli Cesco
Lives and works in London, UK
b. 1989
Danilo Zocatelli Cesco is an Italo-Brazilian artist based in London, driven by curiosity and a commitment to impactful artistry. His work draws inspiration from people's stories, everyday objects, ecology, performance, drag, and his queer identity.
Zocatelli Cesco’s practice has enabled him to explore powerful narratives, ranging from individuals confronting cancer to the everyday lives of female prisoners, the hidden world of BDSM, hate crimes, the queer community, and his personal journey to reconnect with his father.
His photographic approach is deeply personal, reflecting the sense of discovery he experienced upon leaving Brazil in 2012, and is enriched by his culinary background. By incorporating various mediums such as cameraless photography, papermaking, sculpture, video, and sound, his practice seeks to uncover new perspectives, flavours, people, and stories.
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Born in 1989 in Marialva, Brazil
Lives and works in London, UK2023-2024
MA Photography, Royal College of Art, London, UK2020-2023
BA Hons Photography, University of East London, London, UK2009-2012
BA Hons Gastronomy, UNICESUMAR, Maringa, Brazil -
Solo exhibitions
2025
Proud Gallery, London, UK (forthcoming)
2022
Fotos, Idris, London, UKGroup exhibitions
2025
New Contemporaries, ICA, London, UK
RPS International Photography Exhibition 166, Bristol, UK
2024
Minor Attractions, Mandrake Hotel, London, UK
British Embassy, San Francisco, CA
Travers Smith’s 2024/25 CSR, London, UK
DRAG: Observing the Glamour of Subversion, Proud Gallery, London, UK
New Contemporaries, Plymouth / London, UK
Mexican Embassy, El Poder de la Identidad: Queer Art 3.0, London, UK
Arts and Humanities Public Exhibition, Royal College of Art, London, UK
2023
Dimensional Beings, Way Out East, London, UK
2022
Show 22, Broadgate, London, UK
2021
Art Number 23, Athens, Greece
Fotos, Idris, London, UK -
2024
New Contemporaries 2024, Arts Council of England, UK
Travers Smith CSR Art Programme 2024-2025, in partnership with the University of Westminster and the Royal College of Art, London, UK
New Photography Prize, selected by Adam Farah Saad and supported by Simon Bishop, Royal College of Art, London, UK
Rapid Eye Darkroom Award, Royal College of Art, London, UK
Gold Award, College Photographer of the Year (CPOY) -
Selected works
Dear Father, it feels like leaving was necessary for me to realise that I needed to return, 2023, digital photograph
Dear Father, The first time I remember you saying you loved me was when I was seventeen years old, I was terrified of you, 2023, digital photograph
Dear Father, I want to look at you and see my reflection looking back at me, like a mirror, 2023, digital photograph
Dear Father, I remember walking into the changing room a few times and seeing the team t-shirts hanging on the washed blue wall, 2023, digital photograph
Dear Father, I believe we found our peace, 2023, digital photograph
Take Away, 2022, scanned image printed on paper made with restaurant menus and tea
I Wish You Were Queer, 2023, film still, linocut print on discarded makeup remover wipes, TRT: 5 min
Flip Side: Prison Stories, Portrait, 2023, digital photograph, TRT: 4 min
Visible Invisible, Robert, 2019, digital photograph
Drag Kings, Don One, 2021, digital photograph
Vic, 2022, digital photograph