Sylvie Castioni: Reclaiming the Female Gaze Through Photography
French photographer Sylvie Castioni is redefining how women are seen and how they see themselves. With a powerful body of work centered on female empowerment, sensuality, and self-expression, Castioni has become a singular voice in contemporary photography. Through her feminist lens, she challenges dominant narratives surrounding the female body and invites viewers into a world where strength and vulnerability are not opposites, but inextricably linked.
Amazones EXHIBITION: PHOTOGRAPHY THAT EMPOWERS WOMEN
In her acclaimed series and exhibition “Amazones,” Castioni pays tribute to women who choose to express their power and presence by reclaiming their own image. Far from the objectifying gaze that often shapes fashion and media, these portraits—featuring iconic French actresses such as Léa Seydoux—radiate self-assurance and mutual trust. They are intimate, but never intrusive; bold, but never performative.
Dans les draps de Léa Seydoux - Paris | Sylvie Castioni
“My photographs celebrate the female body in all its power and freedom. They advocate for self-acceptance and reject all forms of domination.”
Amazones celebrates the female form as a site of liberation, not censorship. In a time when social media continues to sexualize and suppress depictions of women's bodies, Castioni's work stands as a quiet rebellion. As she states in her own words:
Her practice is not just photographic, it is political. Through light, texture, and presence, she affirms that the female body belongs to no one but the woman herself.
CAROLINE, L'INCONNUE DU LAC – GRAND SPLASH - ANNECY | Sylvie Castioni
LA CUIRASSIÈRE - PARIS 2011 | Sylvie Castioni
Marianne(s): 92 Portraits of Commitment and Hope
In January 2024, Castioni launched a new project: “Marianne(s),” in collaboration with Artgirls Galerie. Inspired by the symbol of the French Republic, this ongoing series gathers 92 women from the fields of art, fashion, and film to stand together under the hashtag #JeSuisMarianne. The aim? To reassert the core values of liberty and equality at a time when women’s rights remain fragile.
Castioni conceived Marianne(s) after witnessing and experiencing abuses within the fashion and film industries—spaces she knows intimately. Yet, the project transcends indignation. It becomes a tapestry of resilience, sorority, and collective strength, photographed with Castioni’s signature warmth and clarity.
“A year later, and 92 portraits in, I don’t want to talk about anger—I want to talk about love, sisterhood, and hope. That’s what this series is truly about.”
The premiere exhibition of Marianne(s) was held at the Hôtel des Gabelles in Versailles in April 2024. A portion of proceeds supports the Fondation des Femmes, which works to combat gender-based violence.
From Shadow to Light: Giving Voice to Women Behind the Camera
Further extending her feminist vision, Castioni co-directed the 2024 portrait series “De l’Ombre à la Lumière” with filmmaker Manon Gicquel, a project aired on France Télévisions during the Cannes Film Festival. Presented by L’Oréal Paris and produced by Katia Maksym (France TV Studio), this short-format series shines a light on 14 female film directors, including Vanessa Filho, through intimate, cinematic, and photographic portraits.
Blending documentary, journalism, and visual art, the series offers a platform for women directors to share their stories, challenges, and aspirations, both behind and beyond the camera. Through these multidimensional portraits, Castioni once again centers female narrative, authorship, and creative agency in a medium still often dominated by male perspectives.
Sylvie Castioni’s photography is deeply rooted in both the aesthetics of fine art and the urgency of activism. Whether through the unguarded sensuality of Amazones, the civic engagement of Marianne(s), or the cinematic intimacy of De l’Ombre à la Lumière, her work gives visibility to the power of women, on their own terms.
As conversations around censorship, representation, and gender equality continue to evolve, Castioni offers a powerful reminder: images can oppress—but they can also liberate.
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