Represented by MLB Gallery: mlb@mlbgallery.com

Internationally represented by MAPS IMAGES: contact@mapsimages.com

Simona Ghizzoni

Simona Ghizzoni (ITA, 1977) is a photographer and visual activist for women's rights.

Her production revolves around two major strands, which often intersect: the social dimension of women and the private dimension of self-portraiture.

While her images are often socially inspired, Ghizzoni tends to employ a personal and participatory narrative, sometimes even a fantastical one, which stems from the intimate relationship she creates with her subjects.

In her series of self-portraits, the recurring element is a visceral relationship with the environment, which alternates between autobiography and fiction. 

Twice awarded by the World Press Photo for her work on the condition of women, her work has been widely presented in solo and group exhibitions, including the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo, Paris Photo, PhotoEspana, Auditorium in Rome, Athens Photo Festival, Ex-Mattatoio Roma, Fotografia Europea, Museo di Roma Palazzo Braschi, Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa.

In 2022 she was chair of the jury for Europe at World Press Photo.

Ghizzoni is a TEDX speaker and regularly gives lectures and lessons at various European schools and universities. Co-founder of MAPS Images, in Italy she is represented by MLB Gallery.

SELECTED AWARDS AND GRANTS

2007 1st prize FNAC photo contest Italy

2008 3rd prize portrait single WORLD PRESS PHOTO 2008

2009 2ndprize Magazine Feature Pictures Story at POYI

2009 1st prize Photo Espana Ojodepez Award for Human Values 2009

2009 Finalist at Burn Magazine Emerging Photographer Grant

2010 Selected photographer for the European project SETSE ( Seeing Europe Through a stranger’s eye) – Les Rencontres d’Arles

2011 Winner The Aftermath Project Saharawi Grant

2012 3rd prize Contemporary Issues single WORLD PRESS PHOTO 2012

2012 2nd prize at Burn Magazine Emerging Photographer Grant

2013 European Photo Exhibition Award (EPEA 2014)

2014 Aan Korb: BBC Arabic Film and Documentary Festival (finalist), London

2014 Margaret Mead Film Festival, Juror's Special Award , New York

2014 Festival du Cinema Italien, Prix Spèciale Documentaire. Annecy. 

2015 The European Journalism Grant / Uncut Project

2015 Leica Oskar Barnack Award, (finalist). 

2016 SONY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD, 3rd prize Contemporary Issues. 

2016 DWA Doc/it Women Award ( Venice), finalist.

2016 Visioni dal Mondo ( Milan) honorable mention.

2017 Ted X Speaker ( Ted X Lake  Como), Italy.

2018 Marilyn Stafford Photoreportage Award - runner up.

2022 Fotografia Europea  Award.                                                                                               

2022 PREMIO BNL GRUPPO BNP PARIBAS / MIA Photo Fair  (ex aequo/ Antonio Biasiucci).                        

2023 PREMIO TERNA (finalist ).

MAIN EXHIBITIONS

2008 PARIS PHOTO (series “In Between”), France.

2009 PARIS PHOTO(series “A Minor Place”), France.

2010 PARIS PHOTO (series “Aftermath”), France.

2010 PHOTOESPANA - Madrid (series “Odd Days”), Spain.

2011 FESTIVAL DELLA FOTOGRAFIA ETICA - Milan (series “Odd Days”), Italy.

2013 REPORTAGE PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL - Sidney (series “Afterdark”), Australia.

2013 AUDITORIUM ROME (series: “Tutto mi parla di te”), Italy.

2014 NOBEL PEACE CENTRE - Oslo (series: “While you were sleeping”), Norway.

2014 PHOTOMED FESTIVAL - Sanary sur Mer (series: “Tutto mi parla di te”) , France.

2014 PALAZZO DELLE ESPOSIZIONI - Lucca ( series: “While you were sleeping”), Italy.

2014  Fondation Calouste Gulbenkian - Paris (series: “While you were sleeping”), France.

2015 Athens Photo Festival (series: “Rayuela”), Greece.

2016 Cortona On The Move ( series: "Uncut" ), Italy.

2017 Festival Photo Reporteur St. Brieuc ( series: " Unrest" ), France.

2018 Triennale di Milano ( L’Altro Sguardo. Fotografe italiane 1965-2018) , Italy.

2018 Perugia Social Photo Fest ( series: “Odd Days”), Italy.

2018 Galleria Spazio 32 ( series: “Uncut”), Italy.

2018 Palazzo delle Esposizioni ( L’Altro Sguardo. Fotografe italiane 1965-2018), Italy.

2018 Casa delle Letterature  ( series: “Uncut”), Italy.

2018/19 Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa, Venezia ( Self-portraits ), Italy.

2019  ExMattatoio Testaccio, Rome ( solo exhibition, Series: Uncut ), Italy. 

2020 FFF Fotografie Forum Frankfurt ( collective exhibition. Collezione Donata Pizzi. Fotografe italiane 1965-2018), Germany.

2020 Espace des Femmes-Antoinette Fouque - Paris ( solo exhibition. Series: “Uncut”), France.

2020 Institut Pour La Photographie Lille ( collective exhibition. Series: Ma mère est un fleuve ), France.

2020 SIFEST - Savignano sul Rubicone ( collective exhibition “Le forme del ritratto”), Italy.

2020 Geopolis Brussels ( collective exhibition, Series: Rêve Géologique), Belgium.

2020/21 MLB Gallery Ferrara ( solo exhibition, Series: Unnatural ), Italy.   

2022 Fotografia Europea Reggio Emilia ( solo exhibition, Series: Isola), Italy   

2022 Museo di Roma Palazzo Braschi ( duo exhibition, Series: Segni), Italy       

2023 MLB Gallery Ferrara ( solo exhibition, Series: Isola), Italy

2024 Festival della Fotografia Italiana ( solo exhibition, Series: Reve Geologique) Bibbiena, Italy.

2024 Ragusa Foto Festival  ( solo exhibition, Series: Isola) Ragusa, Italy