In 2025, Drago undertook a series of editorial projects that further consolidated and expanded its dialogue with cultural institutions, contemporary artists, and the worlds of urban culture and European countercultures, reinforcing an editorial vision that spans photography, public art, and visual storytelling.

The collaboration with MACRO – Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome continued with the publication of the catalogue for the exhibition Porto Roma by Mohamed Keita, curated by the museum. The volume portrays the city of Rome through the eyes of the young photographer born in Côte d’Ivoire, who now lives and works between Rome and Bamako. His images, far removed from conventional representations, reveal an intimate and fragmented city composed of overlooked details, everyday encounters, and urban landscapes marked by a profound human presence. The 96-page, full-colour volume presents Rome as a place of transit and hospitality, a “harbour for the soul,” where the
artist’s personal experience becomes a lens through which Rome is seen.
With Sublime Cliché, the third edition of the Festival of Foreign Academies and Cultural Institutes in Rome, curated by Saverio Verini, Drago published the catalogue accompanying the exhibition project promoted by Roma Capitale and Azienda Speciale Palaexpo. Conceived as an extension of both the exhibition and the festival’s live programme, the volume brings together the artworks and events of Live Live Live! alongside critical essays by Edoardo Albinati and Michele Di Monte, offering a reading of Rome as a layered city shaped by international artistic communities and a continually evolving cultural imagination. The catalogue launch was accompanied by a public conversation with the curator, art historian Michele Di Monte, and the architecture studio Supervoid, followed by a guided tour of the exhibition, reinforcing the project’s commitment to dialogue and public engagement.
The year’s editorial programme also included the limited edition The Self Page by Alice Pasquini, a fine art print signed and numbered in an edition of one hundred copies, presented at Six Senses Rome. The project, which was also featured at the Turin International Book Fair, reflects the Roman artist’s ongoing exploration of the representation of femininity and the relationship between urban language and contemporary artistic practice, reaffirming Drago’s commitment to collectible editions and hybrid forms that bridge art and publishing.
During the 2025 Christmas season, Drago also took part in a Pop-Up Store hosted at Soho House Rome, providing an important opportunity to engage with a diverse audience of readers, collectors, and creative professionals. The selection of books and special editions presented by the publishing house was met with considerable public interest and strong sales, confirming the growing appreciation for a publishing programme that combines artistic research, contemporary culture, and exceptional editorial quality. The initiative further strengthened the visibility of Drago’s catalogue within one of Rome’s leading hubs for creativity and contemporary culture.
2025 marked a year of consolidation and expansion for Drago’s editorial practice, in which collaborations with museums and cultural institutions coexisted with the documentation of urban cultures and European countercultures, reaffirming an editorial programme that weaves together memory, image, and contemporary artistic production.

In 2024, DRAGO Publishing engaged in numerous projects both in Italy and abroad.
The launch of Expodemic marked the beginning of an editorial collaboration with Palazzo Esposizioni Rome. Curated by Lorenzo Benedetti with Francesca Campana, the catalogue of the Festival of Academies and Foreign Cultural Institutes in Rome traces and narrates the close relationship between the emergence and development of art exhibitions and the history of academies. Expodemic highlights the presence of numerous artists and scholars in foreign academies and cultural institutes, whose stories intertwine with the history of Rome. The 240-page full-colour volume features original contributions from artists such as Kamrooz Aram, Ane Rodriguez Armendariz, Severine Ballon, Jacopo Belloni, Alix Boillot, Susanne Brorson, Fatma Bucak, Pedro Luis Cembranos, Zachary Fabri, Arturo Franzino, Hamedine Kane, Kapwani Kiwanga, Bjørn Melhus, Marko Nikodijevic, Tura Oliviera, Estefania Puerta Grisales, Chloé Quenum, Marie Robert, and Sarina Scheidegger.
In collaboration with artist Danilo Bucchi, DRAGO published and presented the volume Oltretutto, a 160-page work curated by Achille Bonito Oliva. Bucchi captures a diverse humanity, inviting them to express themselves through the language of drawing. Participants include writers, directors, actors, designers, musicians, curators, and museum directors such as Ferzan Ozpetek, Danilo Eccher, Alessandro Michele, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Luca Lo Pinto, among others. Alongside a limited collector’s edition, the volume was presented at the MAXXI museum in Rome during the inaugural evening of MAXXI Summer and in December at a special event at The Rome Edition Hotel.
Continuing the partnership with the Palazzo Esposizioni Rome, Drago produced the catalogue for Pietro Ruffo‘s first solo museum exhibition titled L’Ultimo Meraviglioso Minuto, (the Last Wonderful Minute) curated by Sébastien Delot. Promoted by the Department of Culture of Roma Capitale and Azienda Speciale Palaexpo, this exhibition is the most extensive public institution dedication to the artist to date. Ruffo explores humanity’s impact on Earth, examining the legitimacy of the term Anthropocene and condensing the history of our planet and knowledge into his exhibited works. The catalogue includes texts by Marco Delogu, Ivana Della Portella, Sébastien Delot, Sofia Di Gravio, Rebecca Wragg Sykes, and Guido Rebecchini. The volume sold out, receiving widespread critical and public acclaim.
Staying true to its street roots, DRAGO published All You Can Eat, the first book by Pepemaniak, which candidly portrays the story of a generation. Federico Ceruso, known as Pepemaniak, has navigated the language of counterculture, intersecting with pivotal figures in the movement’s inception. Returning from Miami in 2010 with a clear vision, Pepe aimed to disrupt the stagnant dynamics of Italy’s art scene and transcend self-imposed censorship limits. He began mixing painting, tattooing, performance, and photography, skilfully utilising media to reach the masses and impose his taste and audacity in a market eager for change. The volume was presented during a promotional tour that included the Caffè delle Esposizioni in Rome, the Galleria Le Grand Jeux in Paris, and the Propaganda Tattoo Temple in Milan.
With Cemetery, the second chapter of Brad Mirman‘s saga following Street Life, the photographer offers a glimpse into a world unfamiliar to most: a reportage on Manila and the communities residing in its cemeteries. Behind the safety of the walls, inhabitants have created a city within a city. Despite living in a cemetery, this book celebrates life and testifies to the ingenuity of those who dwell there.
To reaffirm and renew collaborations with Joker Brand and Slumerican Records, DRAGO produced 51/50, a photographic reportage on the latest tour of Los Angeles singer Yelawolf. Michael Wayne Atha, better known as Yelawolf, is one of the most established rappers, songwriters, and record producers on the West Coast. Through Edward Crowe‘s photographs, 51/50 chronicles Yelawolf’s story and career, compiling unpublished images from the eponymous tour.
The year concluded with DRAGO’s three-day presence at the vibrant Festive Popup Store of Soho House in Rome.

On March 12 2022, Palazzo Bonaparte di Roma hosted the first large-scale solo show by Jago, known as ‘The Social Artist’ for his skills as an influencer and communicator. DRAGO is publishing a bilingual catalogue of his work entitled “JAGO: THE EXHIBITION.” This catalogue will encompass all his most important works, accompanied by texts written by Maria Teresa Benedetti, Vittorio Sgarbi, Padre Loffredo, and Sylvain Bellenger. To commemorate the occasion, DRAGO is also releasing “Under the Venus,” a limited edition photographic print by Dirk Voegel, depicting the artist in dialogue with one of his best-known works.

In May of this year, in collaboration with the mayor of the city of Nancy and the Museo di Belle Arti, the Galerie Poirel was home to the first large-scale institutional solo show by Alëxone. The exhibition featured several site-specific works and brought together some of the most significant pieces by one of France’s most important figures in Street Art. DRAGO is proud to announce the release of the catalogue titled “À Cœur Ouvert.” This journey through the fantastic and virtuosic universe of Alëxone Dizaz has received great acclaim from visitors and critics alike.

In response to the unexpected success of English photographer Janette Beckman‘s book ‘Rebels: From Punk to Dior,’ DRAGO is releasing a second paperback edition to coincide with the artist’s European tour in the autumn. Following exhibitions at Apertura Centre for Photography and Visual Arts in Malaga, Le Grand Jeu in Paris, and The Photographers Gallery in London, Beckman culminated her tour with a triumphant return to America, exhibiting at the International Center of Photography in New York.

In collaboration with the University of Bologna and the Rodrigo Pais Archive, DRAGO is releasing the first catalogue raisonné of Rodrigo Pais, titled ‘Rodrigo Pais, Sguardi sulla Moda, Fotografie dagli anni Cinquanta.’ The catalogue features texts by Chiara Pompa, Bianca Cappello (jewellery historian and critic), Glenda Furini, Simona Segre-Reinach, Vittoria Caterina Caratozzolo, Guido Gambetta (scientific director of the collection ‘Fondo Fotografico Rodrigo Pais’), and Francesco Citti, the president of the University Library of Bologna. It brings together some of the finest work by the fashion photographer, who documented the development of Italian society in the second half of the 20th Century, capturing unexpected moments from the recent past.

DRAGO is publishing ‘Armando, la furia del Quadraro,’ the first book by photographer Fabio Fasiello, who for years has followed and documented the life and struggles of Armando Casamonica, one of the most famous and controversial boxers on the Italian circuit. The book follows two exhibitions and offers one of the most comprehensive looks at the sport in Italy.

DRAGO is also releasing ‘The Red Skein,’ the most comprehensive monograph on the artist Swoon, one of the most influential street artists on the New York and international scene. Swoon has made a significant impact in the media and press and has presented her book in various galleries, including a remarkable solo show at the Turner Carroll Gallery in Santa Fe, a special launch at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery this Autumn, and a Summer show at Taglialatella Galleries, to name just a few of the influential figures in contemporary art who have played  a part in making this one of the most important books of the year.

The year began with publisher Paulo Von Vacano being invited to Roberto d’Agostino’s conference on Street Art, introduced by Stefano Boeri at the Triennale of Milan. This is where Paolo Cenciarelli, the author of “Vangelo MMXVIII,” published by DRAGO, showcased his work.

In 2020, the launch of “Crossroads: A Glimpse into the Life of Alice Pasquini” marked the first anthology of the globally renowned Street Artist Alicè. She has received widespread national and international recognition, awards, and was elected artist of the year by Rai Radio Tre.

DRAGO was commissioned by the Susan G. Komen Italia organization to present a mural project on breast cancer awareness. Artist Alice Pasquini was selected to create this mural, which was due to be unveiled during Race for the Cure, the annual event promoted by Komen.

In April, after the success of his two best-selling books, “LA Portraits” and “This Is Los Angeles,” Estevan Oriol reached the #5 position on the Netflix Top Ten list in the US. Collaborating with his friend Mister Cartoon, Oriol produced a definitive documentary that marked the culmination of DRAGO’s and the photographer’s extensive efforts in creating the most comprehensive overview of Chicano culture ever documented.

“LA Originals” is a film that chronicles the Chicano and street art movement, solidifying Mister Cartoon and Estevan Oriol’s status as hip-hop legends both on stage and behind the scenes. Photographer Estevan Oriol and artist Mister Cartoon transformed their Chicano roots into an intrepid art form that encompassed street culture, hip-hop, and beyond. They elevated Chicano culture to a global artistic phenomenon, and their reputation has established them as pioneers.

In 2018, DRAGO achieved several significant milestones and collaborations in the diverse, influential world of art and photography:

Estevan Oriol‘s definitive anthology, “This is Los Angeles,” was published and offers a comprehensive representation of the city and its diverse facets, showcasing the extraordinary career of the renowned West Coast photographer over a 20-year span.

DRAGO published the catalogue for the exhibition “Art From the Streets,” curated by French gallerist Magda Danysz. This exhibition marked a significant milestone as it was the first time that the most renowned street artists were showcased in Asia. The event took place at the ArtScience Museum in Singapore, bringing street art to a new and diverse audience in the region.

In the same year, DRAGO curated and produced the exhibition “The Street is Watching” for Letizia Battaglia’s Centro Internazionale della Fotografia di Palermo (the International Centre of Photography in Palermo). This exhibition was based on the book of the same name and was conceived by Paulo von Vacano, Domitilla Sartogo, and Nicola Veccia Scavalli, who led DRAGO’s trend bureau. They spent over five years searching for international photographers to create the first-ever street art anthology.

Following the success of the “The Street is Watching” exhibition, DRAGO became the official publisher for the Institute. They launched a new bookshop and published the catalogue for the exhibition “Io Sono Persona,” which centred around stories of immigration. Over twenty Italian renowned photographers, including Francesco Zizola, Mimmo Jodice, Caterina Pecchioli, Giulio Piscitelli, and Francesco Radino, participated in this project. The catalogue was curated by Giovanna Calvenzi and Kitti Bolognesi, with photographer Francesco Radino contributing the preface.

During the Les Journées Particulières event organized by the LVMH Group, DRAGO selected several artists to create live paintings for Fendi at their luxury headquarters in Palazzo della Civilità Italiana in Rome, also known as the Square Colosseum. The theme, #RomaAmor, was a recurring and beloved one by Fendi’s artistic director, Silvia Venturini. Over three days, artists took turns performing and creating large panels with the support of prominent figures in the sector, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the luxury products manufacturer. Some of the participating artists included Alice Pasquini, JBRock, Brus, Greg, and Pax Paloscia.

DRAGO continued to collaborate with Fendi in 2018 and selected other notable street artists, such as Napal, Gemello, Warios, and Lady Nina, generating a performance on the Roof of the Square Colosseum. During this performance, each artist customised a world map with special fluorescent paint and used drones to create a spectacular video used in the F For… Fendi media campaign, which received millions of views online.

In 2016, DRAGO fully dedicated itself to the national and international launch of the work by the Italian photographer Letizia Battaglia, best known for her photography on Sicily and mafia crimes. This dedication resulted in the publication of two books, available in both Italian and English. The first, ‘Just For Passion,’ serves as the catalogue for the exhibition organized at the Museo MAXXI Museum – Museo Nazionale delle Arti del XX Secolo (the 20th Century National Art Museum) in Rome.

The second book, ‘Anthology,’ serves as the catalogue for the exhibition at ZAC, Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa in Palermo (Zisa Zone Contemporary Art Gallery in Palermo, Sicily). ‘Anthology’ features a preface written by curator Paolo Falcone and contributions from distinguished journalists such as Attilio Bolzoni, Melissa Harris, and Saverio Lodato. Additionally, it includes insights from curators Giovanna Calvenzi, Marta Gili, and Gisela Kayser, as well as photographers Christian Caujolle, Alexander Stille, Graciela Iturbide, Donna Ferrato, and Franco Zecchin. The catalogue also features contributions from notable figures such as the Magistrate of Palermo Nino Di Matteo, Mayor Leoluca Orlando, Senator Simona Mafai, writer Dacia Maraini, Antonio and Patrizia Marras, ICP director Fred Ritchin, and film director Wim Wenders.

DRAGO’s press office organised a presentation at The French Academy in Rome – Villa Medici, which gained international media attention, including coverage by The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, The Daily Beast, and the BBC.

In 2017, The New York Times recognized Letizia Battaglia as one of the world’s 11 most influential women in its special edition of The New York Times Magazine.

In 2014, DRAGO undertook several noteworthy projects. They produced the first and most comprehensive anthology of the acclaimed German 3D graffiti artist Mirko Raisser, titled “Mirko Reisser DAIM 1989 – 2014.” Recognised worldwide as one of the forefathers of graffiti art, this book offered the most extensive and complete publication of his work to date. DAIM had made his debut in public spaces back in 1989, and this publication marked the 25th anniversary of his influential artistic career, shedding light on the graffiti movement through a meticulous compilation of images and texts.

During the same year, DRAGO introduced “Rome Wasn’t Drawn in a Day,” a colouring book featuring a pop interpretation of Rome, created by the Roman artists DolceQ.

Additionally, DRAGO published the official catalogue of the first five editions of the Outdoor Urban Art Festival in Rome, a significant street art festival in Italy. The festival hosted incredible artists such as Borondo, Sam 3, Sten e Lex, Faith XLVII, and Agostino Iacurci. Throughout its existence, the festival found homes in various locations, with one of the most cherished being ‘La Dogana,’ which later transformed into a prominent cultural hub in Rome’s San Lorenzo neighbourhood.

2014 proved to be a busy year for DRAGO, as they produced several volumes for The French Academy in Rome – Villa Medici. These included a catalogue for the exhibition “La Peinture ou comment s’en débarrasser,” curated by Éric de Chassey; catalogues for the exhibitions “Teatro delle esposizioni #4 and #5”, curated by Ludovico Pratesi and “Roma città aperta” curated by Claudio Libero Pisano, respectively; and a catalogue for the first Italian retrospective dedicated to the painter Simon Hantai, curated by Éric de Chassey.

DRAGO serves as the official publishing house of The French Academy in Rome – Villa Medici and produces the catalogue for the exhibition titled “Jean-Marc Bustamante, Villa Medici.” This project involves the artist’s exploration of the concept of space, particularly in relation to the exhibition venue, which holds special significance for the artist.

In the same year, DRAGO released the catalogue for the exhibition “Flying Carpets” at The French Academy in Rome – Villa Medici, curated by Philippe-Alain Michaud. This catalogue was published in three editions and intertwined rhythms and textures into the fabric of historical themes and artistic cinematography.

In 2012, DRAGO dedicated its efforts to the renowned French photographer JR, who is not only the youngest recipient of the TED Prize but also an acclaimed leader in the field of new Street Art. JR holds the distinction of being one of the few contemporary artists featured by the Louvre Museum in Paris. Under JR’s global project “The Wrinkles of the City,” DRAGO published two volumes: “The Wrinkles of the City Los Angeles” and “The Wrinkles of the City Shanghai.” These publications significantly contributed to his fame and provided insight into JR’s philosophy. His work delves into the intricate relationship between city landscapes and photography, recreating entire neighbourhoods through portraits of their inhabitants and narrating their stories.

In 2010, a partnership was forged between The French Academy in Rome – Villa Medici and DRAGO, making DRAGO their official publisher for the next six years. During this period, DRAGO published catalogues for two exhibitions curated by the director Éric de Chassey. The first, titled “I Mutanti,” brought together five artists: Adel Abdessemed, Stephen Dean, Ellen Gallagher, Adrian Paci, and Djamel Tatah. The second exhibition, “Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres / Ellsworth Kelly,” explored the historical relationship and mutual influence between these two artists. Artworks by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres were on loan from The Louvre Museum, and pieces from Ellsworth Kelly’s private collection were featured.

In the same year, for The French Academy in Rome – Villa Medici, DRAGO released “La pesanteur et la grâce,” a catalogue for the exhibition “Abstractions et spiritualité.” This exhibition showcased the works of five international artists: Marthe Wéry, Callum Innes, Georges Tony Stoll, Emmanuel Van der Meulen, and Emanuele Becheri.

DRAGO also published “Muerte,” the first book on the ink genius Mike Giant, a world-renowned artist and tattoo artist known for his distinctive lettering and 21st-century Pin Ups adorned with writing and symbolic messages. The book became one of Amazon’s best sellers for several seasons, with the first edition selling out within a few months.

With the “Tour De Fuerza,” the promotional tour for the first book by the photographer Estevan Oriol, titled “LA Woman,” DRAGO travelled to various European capitals, organising events and traveling exhibits. The book sold out completely within a few months, highlighting its popularity.

In a publishing milestone, DRAGO released “Izastikup,” a unique collection of stickers from artists worldwide. This book serves as both a compilation and a critical review of original stickers created by over 750 artists. The project went beyond the pages of the book, resulting in an exhibition that toured five European countries. The curation of this project was undertaken by the artists Microbo, Bo, and The Don.

DRAGO was involved in several significant events and publications:

DRAGO directed the opening event of the 5th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Rome, organised for the then Mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni. This event was a prominent gathering of Nobel Peace Laureates, and DRAGO played a key role in orchestrating its opening ceremony. Additionally, a special event titled “Man for Peace” was organised as part of these activities.

“La Transavangardia Italiana” was released this year, a book on Italian Neo-expressionism authored by Achille Bonito Oliva. The book featured artists such as Mimmo Paladino, Francesco Clemente, Sandro Chia, Enzo Cucchi, and Nicola De Maria. In conjunction with this publication, DRAGO organised an exhibition that travelled to various locations, including Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, and Mexico City.

In Milan, DRAGO organized a convention for the exhibition held at the Fnac Duomo megastore. The exhibition, titled “S-Style: Sistema della Strada,” explored the relationship and conflict between global consumerism, the latest fashion trends, and street style.

In a significant cultural event, DRAGO organised the “Via Crucis” exhibition, which was curated by Marianna Vecellio and Angela Dorazio. This exhibition took place in the converted church of Santa Marta in Rome and featured photographs by the Latin-American artist Andres Serrano. Serrano’s work is known for its fascination with sacred themes.

Ludovico Pratesi, writing for the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, described the exhibition as a representation of the relationship between the sacred and the profane. Pratesi noted that “Serrano has landed in Rome with a personal exhibition conceived as a representation of the relationship between the sacred and the profane.” He further commented that the exhibition served as a summary of the world’s illnesses through its strong and direct images.

La Stampa newspaper also covered the exhibition, highlighting that Serrano’s work did not deter theologians and that his approach could be seen as a form of useful transgression.

This exhibition demonstrated DRAGO’s commitment to hosting thought-provoking and culturally significant events that engage with complex and challenging themes.