Statement

As an artist, I chase the light that emerges from a world of shadows. Photography is my language, not to document reality, but to transform it into an expressive medium that transcends its traditional boundaries. As an heir to Pictorialism, each image converses with painterly tradition: from the Baroque, I embrace the dramatic orchestration of light and chiaroscuro, while from the Pre-Raphaelites, I draw their pursuit of ideal beauty and their ability to create atmospheres that bridge the real and the dreamlike.

My work explores the human figure in its multiple dimensions: from the intimacy of portraiture to the purity of artistic nude photography, seeking to reveal the essence that dwells beyond visible form. Still life compositions complete this visual language, transforming everyday objects into symbols of contemplation.

My creative process balances technical precision with expressive freedom. In the studio, each composition is a meticulous choreography where the body becomes a sculptural element, evoking classical painting traditions through light and texture. In natural settings, I work in harmony with ambient light, capturing the primal connection between the human figure and its environment. This duality between control and spontaneity culminates in the digital darkroom where, following the Pictorialist tradition, each image is refined to achieve its maximum emotional expression.

In an age dominated by immediacy, my work proposes a return to unhurried contemplation. Each image creates a space for reflection where time stands still, inviting the viewer to immerse themselves in a deeper, more meaningful reality.

Biografía

Diego Orlando is a photographer and visual artist born in San Sebastián, Basque Country, whose work is distinguished by merging the aesthetic richness of pictorial tradition with a profoundly contemporary vision. With an initial background in interior architecture and an MBA in Creative Photography from the University of Catalonia, his approach combines meticulous technical mastery with an artistic sensibility that seeks to transcend the obvious.

Inspired by the great masters of chiaroscuro and the innovators of Pictorialism, Diego creates images that explore universal themes from an intimate and emotional perspective. His work establishes a dialogue between past and present, where light and shadows reveal hidden narratives in the most fleeting details.

Diego Orlando's career includes exhibitions at renowned galleries and biennials in cities such as Los Angeles, Paris, Milan, London, and Madrid, consolidating his position in the international contemporary art circuit. His work has been recognized in prestigious competitions, including the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize 2024, where his piece «El Caballero de Papel» (The Paper Knight) stood out for its bold reinterpretation of classical iconography through innovative visual narrative.

Currently dividing his time between Caracas, San Sebastián, and Barcelona, these cities enrich his multicultural perspective and nourish his artistic practice. His work, marked by carefully composed theatricality, connects with international audiences by inviting viewers to discover new dimensions of the everyday and participate in a visual reflection that transcends time.