Marco Vernaschi

Marco Vernaschi is an Italian visual artist and producer, best known for his thought-provoking photography and inspiring campaigns. His diverse body of work encompasses portraiture, documentary, and contemporary art, often blending his artistic vision with activism.

In 2024, Marco introduced Macondo, a project exploring the intersection of magical realism and climate resilience in Colombia’s Caribbean region. Between 2021 and 2022, he produced Ahícito Nomás and followed it with Warmi, an editorial campaign fostering indigenous women's rights, and exploring the connection between ancestral and modern feminism in the Andean Altiplano. In 2019, with Gaucha, he contributed to Apple’s global #ShotOnIphone campaign honoring the gaucho matriarchs of Argentina.

From 2015 to 2019, Marco served as an external advisor to Argentina’s Chief of Staff Office, aiding in the social development and strategic enhancement of the Northwestern region, particularly the Quebrada of Humahuaca in Jujuy.

In 2015, he launched SEEDS for LIFE, a powerful campaign to raise awareness about the harmful effects of pesticides in Argentina. Supported by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, this initiative led to significant regulatory changes regarding agrochemical use.

Marco’s career reached a pivotal moment in 2011 when he was selected to participate in the 54th Venice Biennale. His autobiographical project, Placebo, praised by David Lynch as “a monumental break in photography,” solidified his reputation as an innovative artist, and was also exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome (MACRO), Paris Photo, and the Karl Bulla Museum in St. Petersburg.

In 2012, Marco introduced Biophilia at the Noorderlicht Festival, Terra Cognita. This project, which delves into humanity’s intrinsic need to reconnect with nature, was later exhibited at the Tokyo Institute of Photography, Paris Photo, and the Festival Internacional de Fotografia de Belo Horizonte.

As a Pulitzer Center grantee, Marco produced Narco State, an investigation into narco-terrorism in Guinea-Bissau; Dying For Treatment, addressing maternal health in West Africa; and Child Sacrifice, investigating organ trafficking in Uganda.

Marco's work has garnered numerous awards, including the prestigious World Press Photo Award. He became a member of The Photo Society in 2015.