Sofia Scanniello’s work addresses what society chooses not to see, shaped by her experiences growing up in Turin near areas where trafficked women stand in public yet remain unseen. Confronted by the realization that the distance between their lives and her own is often a matter of chance, she focuses on restoring visibility, dignity, and individuality to women who have been stripped of autonomy.

Since 2022, Scanniello has collaborated with anti-trafficking organizations, leading painting workshops in safe houses where she co-creates portraits with survivors. The women paint their clothing while Scanniello traces their faces, blending her soft, fluid marks with their direct, instinctive gestures. Some works develop into textile sculptures known as NO-Dolls, fragile yet assertive forms that occupy space and demand attention. Rooted in collaboration and care, her practice reveals lives and stories long obscured, inviting viewers to meet these women’s gaze and recognize their presence.