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About

Danilo Zocatelli Cesco (b. 1989) is a Brazilian artist based in London, inspired by curiosity and a commitment to impactful artistry. His work draws inspiration from people’s stories, everyday objects, ecology, performance, drag, and his queer identity. 


His practice has enabled him to uncover powerful narratives, ranging from individuals confronting cancer, the everydayness of a female prison, the hidden world of dungeons and domination, hate crimes, the queer community, and his personal journey to reconnect with his father.


Danilo’s photographic approach is deeply personal, reflecting the sense of discovery he felt upon leaving Brazil in 2012 and enriched by his culinary background. By integrating various mediums, such as cameraless photography, papermaking, sculpture, video, and sound, his practice focuses on uncovering new perspectives, flavours, people, and stories.

Education

2023 - 2024 -  Royal College of Art - MA Photography
2020 - 2023 - University of East London - First Class, BA (Hons) Photography
2009 - 2012 - UNICESUMAR (Brazil) - BA (Hons) Gastronomy

Exhibitions

2025 - Luma—Dior photography and visual arts award for young talents – Arles, France.
2025 - の: Trace-Erosion, Galerie L’Arche - Les Rencontres D'Arles – Arles, France.
2025 - RPS International Photography Exhibition 166, Bristol.
2025 - RPS International Photography Exhibition 166, Saatchi Gallery, London.
2025 - ICA New Contemporaries, London.
2024 - Arts and Humanities Public Exhibition, Royal College of Art
2024 - DRAG: Observing the Glamour of Subversion, Proud Gallery, London.
2024 – Minor Attractions at Mandrake, London. 
2024 - New Contemporaries, Plymouth.
2024 - Travers Smith Art Programme 24-25.
2024 – British Embassy, San Francisco, US.
2024 - Mexican Embassy, El Poder de la Identidad: Queer Art 3.0, London.
2023 - Dimensional Beings, London.
2022 - Fotos, Solo Show, London.
2022 - Show 22 at Broadgate, London.
2021 - Art Number 23, Athens, Greece.

Awards

Dior photography and visual arts award for young talents – 2025.
RPS International Photography Exhibition 166, 2025.
New Contemporaries 2024.
New Photography Prize (Simon Bishop Collection).
Travers Smith Art Programme 2024-2025.
Rapid Eye Darkrooms Award.
Source Magazine MA Graduate Edition.
College Photographer of the Year – Gold.
Deans Prize: Photography 2024.

Featured

Dear Father (artist book for Offprint at Tate Modern).
Source Magazine – MA Graduate show.
Zero Nine Magazine.

Talks

École Nationale supérieure de la photographie, Table Discussion, Arles, France
Alumni event and table discussion, Royal College of Art, London, UK.
University College for the Creative Arts at Farnham, Artist Talk, Farnham, UK.
University of East London, Artist Talk, London, UK.

Workshops

Portrait and Storytelling, Blank Slate, Focal Point Gallery, Southend, UK.
Portrait and Storytelling, Contemporary Elders, Focal Point Gallery, Southend, UK.
Bookbinding, Contemporary Elders, Focal Point Gallery, Southend, UK.
Activity Pack Programme, commission of an activity sheet alongside the exhibition “In Other Worlds: Acts of Translation,” Focal Point Gallery, Southend, UK.

Residency

2025 - Inspection Pit – Cornwall, UK.

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