Portfolio

Olivio Argenti FRPS

Born in Italy in 1955, he migrates at the end of high school to the UK where he graduates in Economics (University of London, 1981) and in Agricultural Economics (University of Oxford, 1982). He lives for six years in Ecuador and Venezuela and two years in Algeria. He returns to Italy in 1990 to work in Rome as an Agricultural Economist. He has travelled to more than fifty countries. He starts taking photographs in 1995 to illustrate technical publications and his interest for photography becomes a passion. His projects include: a street-photography project “Traits d'union” in Tunisia; “Losers of a forgotten conflict”, a reportage in Azerbaijan and Armenia on refugees from the Nagorno-Karabakh; a reportage in Peru “Atrapados [No way out] - Family violence and juvenile deviant behaviour in Lima” (2005-2008), which combines photographic images with testimonials written by boys and girls met in gangs, drug-rehabilitation centres, family houses and prisons; and “Wrestlers and Wrestling”, a personal view on the world of Olympic wrestling (2006-2008). He has received international awards and has published three books. His work has been exhibited in China, Colombia, Italy, Peru, Switzerland and Tunisia.

His work "Wrestlers and wrestling" was awarded with the Associateship Distinction in October 2011.

His work "Atrapados"was awarded with the Fellowship Distinction in May 2012 and was included in the RPS Collection at the National Media Museum.

He is the Overseas representative of the RPS in Italy and is President of the Italian Chapter of the RPS (www.rps-italy.org) (registered as Non-profit Cultural Association).