Roman Manfredi's TRA Explores Femminielli and Gender Fluidity in Naples at Street Level Photoworks
At Street Level Photoworks in Glasgow, Roman Manfredi, a lens-based artist, showcases TRA, a project inspired by the ancient Neapolitan femminiello. This exhibition is part of the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards 5, which runs until 20 December and is included in Season of Photography 2026. Manfredi’s artistry merges analogue photography, moving images, and sound to delve into personal stories, political contexts, and the essence of place, while honoring the local community in Naples beyond traditional gender norms. Influenced by his Italian heritage, he seeks to explore gender through varied cultural lenses. The title TRA, translating to 'between' in Italian, challenges gender classifications and is displayed alongside works by Sayuri Ichida.
Key facts
- Roman Manfredi's series TRA is exhibited at Street Level Photoworks in Glasgow until 20 December.
- The exhibition is part of Jerwood/Photoworks Awards 5 and Season of Photography 2026.
- TRA draws inspiration from the ancient Neapolitan figure of the femminiello, considered spiritually favourable.
- Manfredi uses analogue photography, moving image, and sound to explore place, personal narratives, and political landscapes.
- The work pays homage to locals in Naples who live outside binary gender expectations.
- Manfredi's Italian ancestry led him to Naples, where he found a place that is accepting and celebratory of gender variance.
- The series includes an archival photograph of Manfredi's nonna in a scene seemingly depicting the wedding of two women.
- Manfredi's work is shown alongside that of another artist, Sayuri Ichida.
Entities
Artists
- Roman Manfredi
- Sayuri Ichida
Institutions
- Street Level Photoworks
- Jerwood/Photoworks Awards
- Season of Photography 2026
Locations
- Naples
- Italy
- Glasgow
- Scotland
- Rione Sanità
- Torre del Greco
- Pianura
- San Lorenzo
- Torre Annunziata
- Sarno
- Pompeii