Sulu U Mari U Sapi

“Sulu u Mari u Sapi” (which means only “The Sea Knows” in Sicilian Dialect) is a long-term project documenting fishermen community from Portopalo in Sicily. This project focuses on the relationship between men and nature and local traditions.

“Sulu u Mari u Sapi” (which means only “The Sea Knows” in Sicilian Dialect) is a long-term project documenting fishermen community from Portopalo Di Capopassero in Sicily.

This project focuses on a small community who try to keep alive the tradition and the value of “work”. They represent to me the value of Italian tradition, the importance of creating the correct balance between man, nature and society.
The rapid process of globalization and capitalism is absorbing them and local fishing economy is getting drastically down.

In these years I had the opportunity to get very close to them and greatest truth is that this project has introduced me to my new family.
Where "having little" is "having a lot". Where true values count “kid, stand up and go straight when the sea gets pissed and life folds in front of you. Love, passion and perseverance” my sea buddies always repeat!

They represent the essence of life and they are full of hope, even when the fishing season went bad. They can’t live without it, they are the essential part of this sea.

Only The Sea Knows is what they say to explain that only the waves of the sea know their faith. In a time of completely “unsecurity” where thay are facing many difficulties, they keep trust in faith, hope and love. In this way they embrace me in their life and we build this project together.