Ducked

About This Work

In *Ducked*, Sebastian Magnani extends his distinctive photographic practice—precise, concept-led, and quietly humorous—into a sharp meditation on self-presentation. Using meticulously staged portraiture and controlled studio lighting, Magnani manipulates scale, props, and gesture to collapse the boundary between fashion image and contemporary art tableau. The work’s clean surfaces and high-definition finish echo advertising aesthetics, yet its subtle absurdity disrupts the promise of polish, inviting a critique of conformity and social performance. *Ducked* speaks to a culture saturated by curated identities, where visibility and vulnerability are continually negotiated. Technically rigorous and culturally incisive, the photograph exemplifies Magnani’s ability to translate everyday symbols into resonant, collectible contemporary photography.

About the Artist

Sebastian Magnani (b. 1985, Brig, Valais) is a Swiss photographer based in Zurich, recognised for his intimate portraits and masterful use of light and colour. Magnani discovered photography during an apprenticeship in media design in 2006, when a one-week course on analogue photography ignited his...

Zebra One Gallery

Contemporary Art • Hampstead, London

Established 1976 • 50 years of excellence in contemporary art • Professional authentication and provenance research