Marco Vernaschi (1973) is an Italian visual artist and producer best known for his thought-provoking photography and inspiring campaigns. His ever-evolving body of work, featured globally in prominent private and public collections, spans advocacy, documentary and contemporary art, often merging his artistic practice with activism.

In 2024, Marco introduced Macondo, a project delving into the confluence of magical realism and climate resilience in Colombia’s Caribbean region. Between 2021-22, he produced the series Ahícito Nomás, followed by Warmi, an editorial campaign with focus on indigenous women, exploring the link between ancestral and contemporary feminism in the Andean Altiplano. 

In 2019, he contributed to Apple’s global campaign #ShotOnIphone with Gaucha, a short film he wrote and directed, celebrating the role of gaucho matriarchs in Argentina.

Through 2015-19, Marco acted as an external advisor to Argentina’s Chief of Staff Office, contributing to foster social development and sustainable agriculture through the Biophilia Foundation, and working on the strategic positioning of the Northwestern region (Quebrada of Humahuaca, Jujuy).

In 2015, he launched SEEDS for LIFE, an impact campaign aimed at raising awareness about the devastating effects of pesticide use in Argentina. The initiative, supported by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, led to improvements in local regulations regarding agrochemicals.

Marco’s career took a significant turn in 2011 with his participation in the 54th Venice Biennale. His autobiographical work, Placebo, described by David Lynch as “a monumental break in photography”, investigates sexual energy as a core element of human existence. Placebo was also exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome (MACRO), Paris Photo, and the Karl Bulla Museum in St. Petersburg, among other venues.

In 2012, Marco introduced Biophilia at the Noorderlicht Festival, Terra Cognita. This project, which examines humanity’s intrinsic need to reconnect with nature, was later displayed 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 on narco-terrorism in Guinea-Bissau; Dying For Treatment, addressing maternal health in West Africa; and Child Sacrifice, probing into organ trafficking in Uganda.

Earlier in his career, he investigated the repercussions of cocaine production in Bolivia and contributed to wildlife crime investigations across Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Indonesia, and India working in partnership with CITES (UN). During this period, he collaborated with several renowned conservationists, including Dr. Biruté Galdikas, Dr. Patricia Wright, and Fateh Singh Rathore, acquiring expertise in wildlife conservation and environmental management.

Marco’s work has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious World Press Photo Award. In 2015 he joined The Photo Society, where he remains an active member.