Francesco Bellina

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT FRANCESCO BELLINA

Francesco Bellina (Trapani, 1989) is an artist and photographer based in Palermo and Accra.His artistic work focuses mainly on contemporary socio-political issues with a particular focus on the topics of migration and climate issues.He developed a significant connection with Ghana, where he opened a creative studio and initiated several educational projects. He also frequently collaborates with African, American and European universities and institutions offering lectures on photography, geopolitics and colonialism.His works have been published on major international media such as The Guardian, Paris Match, Le Monde, Internazionale, L’Espresso, The Washington Post, among others. He often works with NGOs and is a contributor to UNHCR, WHO, and others.In 2020 he finished the long-term project \"Oriri\"(20••••20), that follows the interlace of sex trafficking and voodoo rituals in Benin, Niger, Ghana, Nigeria and Sicily. The project was exhibited in Palermo in 2021 and the book came out at the end of 2022.In 2021 his project “Pray for Seamen”, curated by Izabela Anna Moren, won the 10th Edition of the Italian Council fund, promoted by the Italian Minister of Culture.In 2022, he worked for WHO documenting the relationship between the Covid Pandemic and migrant communities in Europe.In 2023, his exhibition “Oriri” was exhibited at the European Parliament in Brussels.In 2023, his second book, ‘Pray for Seamen’, was published and the project exhibited in Palermo at Ecomuseo Mare Memoria Viva.Since May 2024, his project “Nonostante Ballarò”, realized in collaboration with fashion designer Antonio Marras, has been exhibited in Palermo.In 2024, the two books, “Oriri” and “Pray for Seamen” gained further recognition by being acquired by the permanent collection of SFMOMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art).In 2024, he collaborated with several internationally renowned commercial brands such as Barilla or Xiaomi. In October 2024, he participated in the 16th Symposium held at Warsaw University, in collaboration with Loyola University Chicago and JFRM in Rome, on the topic of migration and human rights.In the same month, he was invited to Northeastern University in Boston to share his work and other stories of migration.In January 2025, his exhibition ‘About Africa’ was shown in Trapani at the Museum of Contemporary Art ‘San Rocco’.In February 2025 his exhibition \"Pray for Seamen” was exhibited at the Civic Aquarium in Milan for the Milan Art Week.In May 2025 his exhibition “Oriri” was exhibited at the Palace of Justice in Naples.