Olga Cafiero

©Etienne Malapert

Olga Cafiero’s photographic projects, which sit on the border between art and science, draw inspiration from scientific imagery and its protocols. Rather than confirming a truth, they offer multiple, subjective perspectives. Through a practice combining methodical investigation and imaginative projection, Cafiero explores the tensions between the visible and invisible, and between scientific rigour and poetic wonder.

Each distinct series forms part of this approach, questioning the materiality of images and their ability to translate complex phenomena into visual experiences. Dialogue emerges between nature, technology, and history, revealing hidden narratives and imperceptible details.

Fascinated by the elusive, Olga Cafiero blurs the boundary between science and poetry. Her images translate complex phenomena into visual experiences, revealing the delicate balance between method and imagination. While representing the world in all its complexity may be a futile endeavour, the full meaning of her approach lies in this very quest.

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Awards

2025 Swiss Design Award, finalist, CH
2024 Garesio Wine Prize for Documentary Photography, Turin, IT
2023 Enquête Photographique Vaudoise (Photographic Survey of Vaud), CH
2022 Swiss Design Award, finalist, CH
2019 Enquête Photographique Neuchâteloise, (Photographic Survey of Neuchâtel), CH
Foam, Foam Talent Re/connect, 2nd place, NL
2012 Foam Talent 2012, Amsterdam, NL
Hyères, 27ème Festival International de Mode et de Photographie, finalist, FR
2011 BFF-Förderpreis 2010, among the 5 winners, D
2010 Finaliste de Shots Young Photographers, London, UK

Publications

2025 Ephemeris, Noir sur Blanc, CH
2021 Lignes de Crêtes, Noir sur Blanc, CH
2020 Flora Neocomensis, Scheidegger&Spiess, CH

Exhibitions

2025 Ephemeris, Photo Elysée, Lausanne, CH
2024 Cultus Langarum, Camera Torino, Centro Italiano per la Fotografia, Turin, IT
(In)animalis, Photo Elysée, Lausanne, CH
(In)animalis, Natureum, Lausanne, CH
Through the Lens, Génopode, UNIL, Lausanne, CH
2022 Swiss Design Award, Art Basel, CH
Le sommet qui cache la montagne, Musée d’histoire des sciences, Genève, CH
Le sommet qui cache la montagne, Rolex Learning Center, Lausanne, CH
2021 Festival Alt.+1000, Vallée de la Brévine, CH
Gibellina Image Fotofestival, Gibellina, Sicile, IT
2020 Between the Mountains, Hills, and Lakes, Design Society, Shenzhen,
MAB, Shanghai, Three Shadows Photography Center, Beijing, CN
Flora Necomensis, Musée d’art et d’histoire Neuchâtel, CH
2019 Verzasca Foto Festival, Valle Verzasca, CH
Sillages, Photoforum Pasquart, Bienne, CH
2018 18 - 28 octobre, Fotofestival Schiedam, Schiedam, NL
2015 Ecal Photography, Display Gallery, London, UK
2014 Ecal Photography, Galleria Carla Sozzani, Milan, IT
CABINET OF CUROSITIES, Galleria Pomo, Milan, IT
2013 LAPSES, gallerie Saks, Geneva, CH
2012 Fashionality, Galleria Camera 16, Milan, IT
TOUCH, Le monde au bout des doigts, Mudac, Lausanne, CH
27ème Festival International de Mode et de Photographie, Hyères, FR
Too cool for school, Spazio Orso, Milan, IT
2011 Swiss Design Award, Mudac, Lausanne, CH
2010 Galerie ELAC, Lausanne, CH
2009 BFF-Förderpreis 2010, Cologne, D
2008 Young Curators, New Ideas, Bond Street Gallery, New-York, USA