Gabriele Albergo was born in 1981 in the province of Lecce. Son of art, he spent his childhood in his father’s photo studio, but he started taking pictures only when he turned 30. He suddenly fell in love with his camera and got completely carried away. Today, he works as freelance photographer in the commercial field and for reportages.
His tendency to critically observe his surroundings, getting lost in it, led him to have an ironic and irreverent approach towards his birthplace, where he has been living his all life. He’s been strongly inspired by the USA movies – in particular by David Lynch and Coen brothers’ – but also by the Italian Neorealism. His photographic references range from Luigi Ghirri to Martin Parr, even if active in a completely different context.
About ‘Salento Death Valley’ – words by Gabriele Albergo:
Salento Death Valley is a black diary of the most beloved Italian peninsula. It is my ever-changing visual collection based on customs, traditions and mass culture of the beautiful “heal of the boot”. Fascinated by all the subversive mistakes, by the never-ending imbalances typical of the territory, I search for “anti-postcards” to tell about what somehow exists, but is always out of the spotlights. Spotlights that are – now more than ever – pointing on Salento touristic attractions, leaving aside all the rest.
