Talent of the Year 2020 - FINALIST: Rosa Mariniello

VITILIGO is a chronic condition characterized by depigmented patches of skin due to the loss of melanocytes.It is affects 1 to 2% of the world’s population regardless of age, sex or ethnic background.While the exact causes of the disease remain unknown.VITILIGO inevitably raises questions about beauty, identity, and change.The emotional effects of stigmatization can be devastating – low self-esteem, anxiety, or even depression.In other words, the impact of vitiligo goes way beyond the skin..One of my guiding principles for this project has been to capture an authentic image of my subjects, all of whom overcame their biggest hurdle – the gaze and judgment of others – and, with great courage and humility, showed themselves as they are, restoring to their bodies the personal dignity they had lost.Showing their bodies was not easy for them, but by doing so they have demonstrated an ability to accept themselves and their diversity.

About author:
I was born in Ottaviano, Naples in 1970 and I’m a photographer based now in Rome.
I have studied Architecture at Federico II University in Naples. I worked several years as architecture photographer. I worked also as set photographer for many Italian film productions from 2006 to 2016 in Rome.
From 2011 till 2015 I collaborated with Eventi-Italiani Agency and Drome Magazine taking part to many Film Premieres and International Film Festivals.
From 2011 I’m a member of European News Agency & G.N.S.PRESS and I work as a photo reporter.
I am the Author of ‘ The Flow of Time’ for ‘ Doni Collection’ of ImagoMundi in 2016
At the moment I’m working at several projects like Vitiligo, Urban Trip(le)s, Lucania: the Silence Land and At Km 9.3