Debora De Canio - Interdisciplinary Artist and Photographer

Debora De Canio is an Italian interdisciplinary artist and photographer whose work is defined by a deep engagement with material exploration and anthropological themes. Born in Potenza and currently based in Geneva, Switzerland, Debora De Canio received her training at the Scuola Romana di Fotografia e Cinema in Rome and the Door Academy, later earning a master’s degree in Art and Design from Birmingham City University. Her practice seeks to break free from the traditional flat surface of photography, incorporating sculpture, video, and sound to create immersive installations. A hallmark of her work is the integration of artisanal techniques with a focus on environmental sustainability. This is evidenced in her research into alternative darkroom chemistry using organic developers and her use of unconventional materials, such as eggshell powder and sodium alginate, to craft masks and symbolic objects. Her notable projects, including 'Eggshells pottery' and 'Lucanian is born and remains,' explore the dynamics between rurality and industrialization while preserving disappearing traditions. Debora De Canio has showcased her work internationally at venues such as the MABOS Museum and Paratissima ArtGallery, establishing a unique voice in contemporary art that balances strategic research with highly manual, handcrafted processes.