· Oltre lo sguardo
Stefano
Oltre lo sguardo, beyond time
“Oltre lo sguardo” was created to tell people’s stories beyond their conditions, vulnerabilities or diagnoses.
It was created to restore dignity, presence and truth through photography.
Stefano Gheller was meant to be the first person portrayed in this project.
We never managed to make it happen.
Stefano passed away on 22 February 2024, leaving an immense void, above all on a personal level, as well as a symbolic one.
It is difficult, perhaps impossible, to tell his story in a few lines.
Yet this is precisely the purpose of this space: to pause, to truly see, and to refuse to look away.
A clear, challenging and necessary voice
Stefano Gheller brought issues into the public eye that many would rather ignore: disability, the illness, the end of life, the right to self-determination.
He did so with clarity, intelligence and rare strength. Without self-pity, rhetoric or compromise.
He chose to step forward, to speak and to explain.
To be seen.
His fight was not about attracting attention, but about raising awareness. About making society look at what it so often pushes to the margins. His greatest legacy is not only what he said, but how he said it: with dignity, consistency and a freedom that challenged expectations.
A powerful statement. Necessary. Honest.
Beyond photography, beyond the body
“Oltre lo sguardo” is more than a photography project. It is an act of responsibility. An invitation to slow down, to observe, and to recognise another person as a whole human being, rather than a label.
Stefano embodied this perfectly. His body did not define who he was. His mind, his words and his courage did.
Although we never arranged a portrait session in the studio, these photographs from an outing together and a selfie at his home make Stefano part of this project. He is one of its foundations. Because “Oltre lo sguardo” also means this: continuing to see those who are no longer physically before us, yet continue to speak, teach and awaken our consciences.
A lasting legacy
Stefano left a profound mark: on public debate, on those who listened to him and on those who had the privilege of knowing him.
And on my personal and photographic journey.
This article is not a goodbye. It is a thank you. A promise to stay true to these values.
It is a commitment to keep telling true stories, even when they hurt, even when they challenge us.
Stefano, you will always be in my heart.
