Ideas, research and visual storytelling
Davide Monteleone is a visual artist, researcher, and National Geographic Fellow whose work spans photography, visual journalism, writing, and interdisciplinary projects. His practice explores complex themes, including geopolitics, geography, identity, data, and science. Originally from Italy, Monteleone spent over a decade in Russia between 2000 and 2021, where he developed his early series and published four acclaimed monographs: Dusha (2007), Red Thistle (2012), Spasibo (2013), and The April Theses (2017).
Monteleone’s work has been featured in prominent publications such as National Geographic, Time, and The New Yorker and exhibited in renowned venues, including the Saatchi Gallery in London, the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris, and the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome. His 2022 project Sinomocene, a data-driven investigation into China’s economic expansion, materialised as both an exhibition and a book, furthering his commitment to narratives that merge visual storytelling with investigative research. In 2024, he completed Critical Minerals—Geography of Energy, an exploration into the geopolitical and environmental stakes of energy transition resources, which continues his examination of climate and economic impacts on a global scale.
Among Monteleone’s numerous accolades are the Leica Oskar Barnack Award (2024), the Deloitte Photo Grant (2024), the National Geographic Fellowship (2019), the Asia Society Fellowship (2016), and the Carmignac Photojournalism Award (2013). He holds a Master’s in Art and Politics from Goldsmiths, University of London, and is actively engaged as a curator and educator across various public and private institutions.
Though rooted in the tradition of documentary photography, Monteleone is drawn to intangible themes that, in his view, reveal essential questions about contemporary society. His work combines pedagogical insight with interpretative storytelling, encouraging viewers to question, investigate, and reflect. Monteleone sees his role as a “curiosity trigger,” inviting audiences to look beyond the surface and engage in a deeper exploration of the world.
