Luca Desienna — Year-by-Year Curriculum Vitae

1980s – Early 1990s · Italy

• Born in Italy.
• Studied Visual Arts and Humanities; graduated as Teacher of Arts at Istituto d’Arte “Michele Fanoli”, Padova.
• Obtained Diploma in Graphic Design and Photography (1992).
• Founded the local artists collective Esazoo, curating early exhibitions and performances.
• Began writing short stories and poetry during adolescence.

1993 – 1994 · Italy

• Graphic Designer, Studio Novaidea — one of Italy’s leading design studios. Clients: Diesel, Levi’s, Henry Cottons, Galloway, Dolomite.
• Art Director, Kinklight — cult Italian music club known for its underground aesthetic and international performers such as Mutoid Waste Company and Emmanuelle (New York). Responsible for PR, event design, performer coordination, and visual identity.

1994 – 1999 · London

• Moved to London; immersed in the underground art and fashion scenes.
• Art Director, Kerosene.org — early online photography community.
• Founder, Synthetic Milk — independent clothing label and boutique at Kensington Market, London. Duties: interior and graphic design, visual merchandising, buying, and PR. Clients included Steven Tyler, Pamela Anderson, Lenny Kravitz.
• Market Stall Owner, Portobello Market — handmade fashion and apparel creations.
• Part-time Model & Actor, appearing in editorials and campaigns for Vogue (portraying Kate Moss’s punk boyfriend), HOMMES International, The Times, and Pepe Jeans.

1997 – 2004 · London

• Studied Drama and Acting under Craig Snelling at Morley College, London.
• Pursued screenwriting, performance, and clowning studies.
• Began professional career as a freelance lifestyle and reportage photographer (1998 → current). Clients: Il Sole 24 Ore, Die Welt, TextilWirtschaft, Diesel, Radio Milan, Vanidad, KULT, Italian Cinema London, Street Fashion Magazine, Confindustria Veneto, Salvatore Ferragamo.
• Highlights: Diesel U Music Ad Campaign, Gabriele Salvatores for Ferragamo at BAFTA, Renzo Rosso for Die Welt, Alastair Campbell for Il Sole 24 Ore, London Fashion Week for Vanidad, Eton College reportage for Intelligence in Lifestyle.

2000 – 2010 · London / London!

• Founded Gomma Books Ltd., independent publishing house for auteur photography. Publications: MONO Vol. 1 & 2, Gomma Magazine (issues 1–4), Keizo Kitajima: Modoru Okinawa. Online platforms: gommabooks.com, gommamag.com, gommagrant.com.
• EContinue modeling and acting performance by the likes of Mario Testino in London and Paris.
• Served as Director and Editor-in-Chief of Gomma, curating monographs and international talent.
• Art Director, Radical Matter (2012–2016) — organised workshops with Michael Ackerman, Anders Petersen, and Akina Books.
• Exhibited personal photography internationally and received multiple awards.

2012 – 2016 · Literary & Artistic Expansion

• Publication of debut novel Londra Brucia (Liux Edizioni, 2012).
• Development of Cheyenne Bozo, 2059, speculative literary fiction.
• Created photography project My Dearest Javanese Concubine — later recipient of multiple international awards.

2017 – 2019 · Budapest / Europe

• Relocated to Budapest; engaged with the European creative community.
• Deepened acting and performance training, integrating theatrical rhythm into prose.
• Continued curatorial and mentoring work with Gomma.
• Developed new literary manuscripts exploring intimacy and transformation.

2020 · Berlin / Valencia

• Established the Gomma B&W Awards, an international award dedicated to black-and-white photography, accompanied by a curated annual photobook.
• Expanded Gomma’s publishing operations and global partnerships.

2021 – 2024 · Writing Focus & Publishing Projects

• Completed Cheyenne Bozo, 2059, later published in 2025.
• Wrote A Tantric Tale, a literary novel exploring consciousness and desire.
• Designed and produced Gomma B&W Awards annual publications.
• Directed the 11th and 12th editions of the Gomma Photography Grant.

2022 · Editorial & Design Work

• Designed, edited, and produced the award-winning photobook Govanhill by Simon Murphy (Gomma Books Ltd).
• The book received widespread critical acclaim and international distribution.

2025 · Present

• Publication of Cheyenne Bozo, 2059 (Bookabook, Italy).
• Upcoming photo books:
  • The Atlas of London
  • Of Lilies and Remains (with Laura Estelle Barmwoldt) — Interview by Linda Zhengová, Discarded Magazine
  • The Box
• Divides time between Berlin and Valencia.
• Continuing new literary, photographic, and cross-genre projects.

Awards & Distinctions

First Prize — Simulacrum Photo Contest · First Prize — Meet My World by Amantani · Third Prize — Px3 Prix de la Photographie · Third Prize — Pride Photo Awards · Shortlisted — Dewi Lewis European Publishers Award · Official Selection — Voies Off Arles · Honorable Mention — LensCulture Awards · Nomination — Travel Photographer of the Year · and others (IPA, Winephoto, Spider Awards etc.).

Jurying & Curation

Debuts (Poland) · Photobook Melbourne (Australia) · Daylight Awards (USA) · Lugano Photo Festival (Switzerland) · Photo Lucida Critical Mass (USA) · Gomma Photography Grant (Europe/US) · Crestock Photo Awards (USA).

Selected Bibliography & Press

Intelligence in Lifestyle · Vanity Fair · Vice (Italy/US/UK) · Dienacht · Eyemazing · Uncertain States · Il Sole 24 Ore · Private Photo Review · Photo Paper · Kult · a-n Magazine · Genis Aci · Shots · Street Fashion Magazine · Die Welt · Time Out London.