Cristiano Volk (b. 1987, Italy) is a photographer based in Venice whose work explores the intersection of contemporary social issues, visual perception, and human interaction with cultural and geographical spaces. Through a conceptual approach to photography, he investigates themes such as mass tourism, mental health, and consumerism, analyzing their socio-political and environmental impact.
His projects often challenge traditional documentary photography, embracing abstraction, color manipulation, and unconventional visual narratives. His critically acclaimed works have been exhibited internationally and published in leading photography magazines and journals.
Among his most recognized projects:
- Sinking Stone (2019) – A visual investigation into mass tourism in Venice, awarded the Slideluck Gazebook Jason Fulford Award and published by Witty Books.
- Mélaina Cholé (2020) – A conceptual exploration of major depressive disorder, published by Yoffy Press and selected among the best photobooks of the year by Internazionale and Photobook Journal.
- Laissez-Faire (2021) – A critical reflection on consumerism and capitalism, winner of the Prix Levallois and exhibited at Athens Photo Festival (Benaki Museum), Salons d’Honneur of Levallois, Discovery Awards (Braga), and Images Gibellina. The book was published by FW:Books and shortlisted for the Arles Book Award.
His work is part of prestigious collections such as the Vontobel Art Collection (Zurich) and the Fondazione Orestiadi (Gibellina, Italy). In 2020, he was recognized as a FRESH EYES Talent by GUP Magazine, which selects the 100 most promising emerging European photographers.
Volk’s photographs have been featured in major international media, including The Guardian, Das Magazin, Público, D la Repubblica, Marie Claire, Elle Magazine, De Standaard, LensCulture, Hype Art, Creative Review, Phroom, Artribune, Aesthetica Magazine, and PhMuseum.
Volk continues to push the boundaries of photographic storytelling, creating compelling narratives that challenge perception and redefine contemporary visual culture.