Born in Milan in 1982, Andrea discovered photography as a simple passion. It eventually took all his interest, and so the camera became inseparable. Despite not being a professional photographer, he puts everything in the frame and lets the image go beyond his profession without seeking a label.

Hello Andrea. When or how have you understood you wanted to become an artist?

About six years ago, I got bored of seeing only stupid pictures on social media, so I started looking for something more interesting by myself.

Can you briefly tell us more about your technique and what drives you to make art?

Street photography as it is invariably sincere. I love watching people. I aim for the beauty and the ugly of the mundane.

What is the main feature that has changed in your works or practice?

I’d say that color consciousness is something I improved and that I adjusted in my work.  

Which artist primarily inspires your work? And is there something else, outside visual arts, that keeps you motivated?

Garry Winogrand for his ability to find something interesting in the everyday.

How would you like people to engage with your work?

I push people to simply imagining the situation they are staring at in the image, to live it with empathy, figuring out how the character could have been before or will be after that actual shot.

Follow Andrea Lo Maglio on Instagram.

The post Andrea Lo Maglio | The Beauty And The Ugly Of The Everyday appeared first on Hue & Eye.

Soo-Jin Lee (SooJin) is an independent Graphic Designer from Seoul, South Korea. She lived in the US for five years studying at the California Institute of the Arts, where she gained a BFA in Graphic Design in 2016.

SooJin likes to explore digital arts, and her technique keens towards both digital and physical experiences. But let’s better understand what this means. She mainly uses Adobe Illustrator and sometimes Photoshop to finalize her artworks. Currently, she is also studying the idea to deepen cinema4D for 3D object elements to create better digital experiences.

Hello Soojin, Where have you grown up?

I was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. I lived in America for 5 years, a mix of college and work.

Can you please provide a brief description of what you do or some information about your technique?

I usually use Adobe Illustrator and sometimes Photoshop. But off late, I am trying to also work with Cinema4D for 3d object elements to create better digital experiences.

What inspires you to create art?

I wanted to reimagine our surroundings and approach them with an anti-capitalist lens.

This was the reason I started the self-initiated project, Replica. The idea behind the project was that signs, labels and banners from mundane life can be reinterpreted, and made into memes (partially) through mischievous visual alterations.

How is your day-to-day working process?

Currently, I am working as a freelance designer. The scope of my work is kinda varied from

marketing to illustration for various brands. The marketing aspect, usually includes creating a business pitch deck and social media collaterals. Occasionally, I work on web or app design.

How long have you been working in this field?

I have been working as a freelance designer after a few internships during academic and graduation. So it has been about 3 years.

Which artists have had the greatest influence on your work?

I would love to choose Tim and Eric, an American comedy duo and creators. They inspired me with their absurdist sense of humor and satire and retro aesthetic on their shows they have created.

What inspires your practice outside of visual arts?

Weirdly, I get inspired by street and building signs and ads. And sometimes memes using these signs and symbols. I get an idea and create a design piece from them by visualizing with a bit of nihilism and a sarcastic view.

How would you like people to engage with your work?

I want viewers to feel intrigued by my work, finding similarness and differences from their

daily objects. And at the same time, I hope they induce conflict with what they used to seeing.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

I wish to grow and develop myself more as an independent and multidisciplinary designer.

So I hope to deliver and create digital and physical interactive experiences.

SooJin is currently working as a freelance Graphic Designer for various brands, with a specialty in Illustration Marketing. As marketing material requests usually include creating a business pitch deck and social media collaterals, she also occasionally work with web or app design.

To know more about her, go here.

Or follow Soo-Jin Lee on Instagram as @emptytacoshell

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Pantonio, born António Correia, in 1975 in the Azores, Portugal, is a celebrated street artist known for his mesmerizing murals that capture the fluidity and dynamism of the natural world. With a distinguishable style characterized by flowing forms, Pantònio’s work often features swarms of animals—fish, birds, and other creatures—interwoven in ways that evoke movement and harmony within urban environments.

Pantónio’s Artistic Journey

Pantonio’s artistic journey began in his youth, but he gained significant recognition after moving to Lisbon, where he became an influential figure in the city’s vibrant street art scene. His murals, often colossal in scale, breathe life into urban landscapes, transforming blank walls into canvases that celebrate biodiversity. Each piece serves not only as an artistic expression but also as a commentary on the relationship between nature and urbanization.

Lisbon’s Influence

Pantónio’s imagery is also deeply influenced by the culture of Lisbon and the Tagus River. His works frequently depict elements associated with the river and its inhabitants, including sardines, cod, octopus, mermaids, ropes, and boats. This suggests a strong connection to the local environment and its traditional imagery. Furthermore, he draws inspiration from his surroundings, such as creating a mural inspired by a tree in a park. His artistic style, described as having a “very personal visual vocabulary and a strong graphic style with remarkable amplitude,” further suggests that his inspiration comes from a combination of his personal experiences and the vibrant cultural landscape of Lisbon.

Pantónio’s Technique and Aesthetics

The artist’s unique technique involves layering vibrant colors and dynamic shapes, creating a sense of depth and movement. This approach allows viewers to experience a visual narrative that captures the essence of life’s fluidity. Pantonio often draws inspiration from the rich natural surroundings of his native Azores, incorporating elements that reflect the islands’ biodiversity and ecosystems.

Pantonio’s work has transcended borders, with murals found in various countries, reflecting a global appreciation for his artistry. He has participated in numerous international street art festivals and exhibitions, further establishing his reputation as a leading figure in the contemporary street art movement.

His contributions extend beyond mere aesthetics; Pantonio aims to raise awareness about environmental issues through his art. By portraying the beauty and intricacy of animal life, he invites audiences to reflect on the importance of biodiversity and the impact of urban development on natural habitats.

Pantonio’s murals are often characterized by a blend of realism and abstraction. This technique not only showcases his technical skills but also creates a dialogue between the viewer and the artwork. The swirling patterns and vibrant colors pull the audience into a world where nature and urban life coexist, encouraging a deeper connection to the environment.

His works are not only visually stunning but also serve as poignant reminders of the beauty of nature and the need to protect it amidst the challenges of urbanization.

Go here to visit Pantonio’s Instagram page or read similar articles on Hue&Eye >>>

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The Art Show 2024 is a premier annual event organized by the Art Dealers Association of America, benefiting Henry Street Settlement. This renowned art fair showcases both contemporary and historical works from top galleries, fostering vital connections and supporting essential social services within New York City.

The inviting atmosphere of The Art Show encourages visitors to connect with gallerists and explore an eclectic range of artworks by diverse artists from around the world. Attendees can also enjoy compelling artist performances and enlightening keynote talks, offering a rich tapestry of cultural experiences and exceptional artwork.

The Art Show Benefit Preview

The Art Show Benefit Preview is the highlight event for those seeking an exclusive first look at the art before it opens to the public. Blending the art scene with philanthropy, this exclusive preview attracts collectors, business leaders, and charity representatives from around the globe, all of whom contribute to funding Henry Street Settlement’s impactful programs.

Henry Street Settlement: Supporting New Yorkers

As Henry Street Settlement’s largest source of unrestricted funding, The Art Show has raised over $37 million for the nonprofit organization in over 30 years of collaboration. This partnership enables the creation of a unique art experience that supports essential services for more than 50,000 New Yorkers annually.

Sustainability Initiatives at The Art Show

The Art Show is committed to sustainability and is following a Sustainability Roadmap in collaboration with partners including Gensler, Henry Street Settlement, Sanford L. Smith + Associates, and AXA XL. This initiative aims to minimize environmental impact, achieving significant waste reduction and sustainable practices in 2022 and 2023, with plans for continued improvements in 2024.

Key sustainability accomplishments include:

– 2022: Successful waste reduction through digitalization, plant-based decorations, and the use of LED lighting.
– 2023: Focus on reducing food waste, utilizing compostable packaging, and expanding the Climate Impact Report (CIR) initiative, with participation from over 30 exhibitors.

To further support sustainability, The Art Show has developed an ADAA members webinar to guide galleries in creating effective climate action plans and made its first donation to a land conservation project.

Event Details: Hours and Location

Benefit Preview: Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Location: Park Avenue Armory (67th Street and Park Avenue, NYC)

Assisted Access:
For individuals requiring assisted access, a sidewalk-level entrance is available at 103 East 66th Street, just east of Park Avenue. Visitors may ring the service bell upon arrival or arrange assistance in advance by contacting the main security desk at 212-616-3950, extension 1. Wheelchairs can be requested at the show office by calling +1 212-777-5218.

Transportation Options

– Citi Bike Docks:
– 67th and Park Avenue
– 81st Street and Park Avenue

– Subway:
– 6 Train at 69th Street and Lexington Avenue
– F & Q Trains at 63rd Street and Lexington Avenue

– Buses:
– M101, M102, or M103

Go here to get your tickets!

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French duo Zim&Zou create paper art installations for a wide range of international clients such as Microsoft, ICON,Hermès, TIME, Washington Post, ENI, Der Spiegel, La Rinascente e il Centre Pompidou.

Zim&Zou is a young duo composed of Lucie Thomas (b. 1987) and Thibaut Zimmermann (b. 1986). They both started as graphic designers, working in publishing and advertising. After a few years, they focused on installations using handcrafted objects made out of paper, wood, threads, etc.

Work Process

All of Zim&Zou’s works are not computer design based but handcrafted! Their favorite material is paper, which they cut, fold, glue to create colorful sculptures.

Paper is the most versatile of mediums to them, as for its unique colors and textures. The final artwork is an installation rich in poetry and shapes of any complexity. Their visual style focuses on exciting and whimsical scenes. Colorful buildings, giant flowers, and vegetation, natural landscapes are filled with huge seafood to become the main characters of their creations.  ‘Life is everywhere; flowers are growing and carry away its inhabitants in their impetus. The mysterious people are evolving, building, and living right in the heart of nature, revealing a fragment of their daily life.’

MUSEUM OF SUPERNATURAL HISTORY – Artist Windows for Hermès Maison Shanghai.

The concept is inspired by a Museum of Natural History, melted with a Cabinet of Curiosities. The windows, hand-made with paper and leather, are an invitation to wander. Passers-by were suddenly walking through the corridors of a mysterious Museum, straight from the street. The themes take impulse from nature; the two main windows are about Air and Water, and the two smaller ones around Earth. All the animals are carefully handcrafted using leather offcuts from Hermès workshops in Paris. In the water-themed window, a 5 meters dinosaur paper skull is swimming through the room (plesiosaurus skull)—the whole project required almost three months of work and a great local team’s support.

EXODUS

‘EXODUS’ is an ode to Travel. Thrown in a continuous movement, the aircraft colony crosses time and space toward an unknown outcome. Like birds stuck in an endless migration, they’re pursuing their hope of an elsewhere.

The bright pink, blue, and purple aircraft are entirely hand-made. Each body displays multiple geometric patterns created with cut and stacked paper that match the rest of the fleet. Thrown in a constant movement, the aircraft colony crosses time and space toward an unknown outcome. 

Zim&Zou is today called by international big firms to set-up and stage windows and visual merchandise as well as magazine content and covers.

Visit their online shop for purchase or go to their website here.

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Agostino Iacurci (b.1986) is a contemporary visual artist working with painting, murals, sculpture, drawings, and then welcoming space through installations. Originally from Foggia (southern Italy), Agostino’s art practice began at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome and then moved to various places, the last being Berlin for six years. Until 2022 he was in New York for a residency at ISCP (International Studio & Curatorial Program) in Brooklyn. 

Iacurci has worked extensively in the public art context making large murals, alternating them with more traditional studio practice, experimenting with various mediums, and collaborating with other professionals, artisans, and crafters.

Often driven by a site-specific attitude, Iacurci manages heterogeneous materials, constantly manipulating them. By doing this, he generates images in which he willingly recounts cultural history, emotional memories, literary references, and tales.

 

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Un post condiviso da Agostino Iacurci (@agostinoiacurci)

 

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Un post condiviso da Agostino Iacurci (@agostinoiacurci)

 

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Un post condiviso da Agostino Iacurci (@agostinoiacurci)

 

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Un post condiviso da Agostino Iacurci (@agostinoiacurci)

Exhibitions, Works, and Awards

Iacurci has shown his work in solo and group exhibitions, including; Of my abstract Gardening, Ex Elettrofonica, Rome (2022); Hortus, IIC, Prague (2022); Premio Termoli LXII, MACTE, Termoli (2021); Tracing Vitruvio, Musei Civici, Pesaro (2019); Talent Prize 2019, Mattatoio, Rome (2019); Gypsoteca, M77 Gallery, Milan (2018); Trompe-l’oeil, Celaya Brothers Gallery, Mexico City (2017); Urban Art Biennale, Völkinger Hütte, European Centre for Art and Industrial Culture (2017); Cross the streets, MACRO Museum, Rome (2017); 16° Premio Cairo, Palazzo della Permanente, Milan (2015). But sure enough, the highlight to his career are the monumental wall paintings and installations for public and private institutions he creates since 2009. Recent commissions include Ludwigs-Hack-Museum, Ludwigshafen (2021); Life is Beautiful, Las Vegas (2021); Principal Place, London (2020); Yakutsk Biennale, Yakutsk (2017); Distrito Tec University, Monterrey (2016); Govind Puri Metro Station, New Delhi (2016); Istituto Mario Penna, Belo Horizonte, Brazil (2014); Fubon Art Foundation, Taipei (2012).

He also participated in residency programs such as ISCP (International Studio & Curatorial Program), New York (2020-2022), and Plop x Cob Residency, London (2021), and has ultimately received The New York Prize, promoted by Mibac, MAE and Italian Academy-Columbia University (2020), and Cantica21, Italian Contemporary Art Everywhere Prize (2021). 

Last but not least, throughout his career, Iacurci has collaborated with international brands and publishers, including Apple, Adidas, Hermès, Herman Miller, La Repubblica, Penguin Books, Starbucks, and The New Yorker.

Follow Agostno Iacurci on Instagram or learn more on his website >

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Victoria Vykhodtseva is a talented street and travel photographer, succeeding in several photography awards to acknowledge her skills.

She initially worked in TV and video production as a director and producer, when a decade or so ago, she chose to move her focus towards digital photography. She believes photography adds freedom and liberation to the creative impulse, as one can travel and communicate without boundaries. Be it remote corners of the world or in the surroundings of her hometown, Victoria continues to pursue her interests in street, and documentary photography, which often allows her to seize the unexpected instants and charm of the world. She has always been a keen observer, and although some themes, subjects, or characters may pique Victoria’s curiosity spontaneously, it’s the choice of light and composition that transforms her discoveries into images.

Hue&Eye had the wonderful chance to interview her to explore the reasons that drove her to become an artist.

–

Hello Victoria, when or how did you understand that you wanted to become an artist?

I wanted to become an artist as soon as I realized that documentary and street photography allowed me to capture unexpected moments and the magic of life.

May you briefly describe your technique and tell us what drives you to make art?

Realistic photography, as an art form, does not create or alter reality; rather, it becomes a medium through which I share my subjective feelings with viewers. While themes, subjects, and characters catch my eye spontaneously in the beginning, it’s the choice of light conditions and composition that transforms them into expressions of my visual perception.

What is the main feature that throughout the years has changed in your works or practice?

I hope I have become more confident from the technical point of view. Also, new project ideas seem to come to mind more easily.

Which artist primarily inspires your work? And is there something else, outside visual arts, that keeps you motivated?

I was once (and continue to be) very impressed by the works of Henri Cartier-Bresson, which oriented me towards realistic, documentary, and street photography. In his images, Cartier-Bresson examines the lives of common people in ordinary life situations. Also, the non-staged approach to photography further developed by some members of the Magnum Agency or such prominent figures as Robert Doisneau, Garry Winogrand, Robert Frank, and many others, is an inexhaustible source of inspiration for me.

How would you like people to engage with your work?

My photography ideas are spontaneous, born from interactions with people and surroundings, all happening in the moment. When lighting and composition align perfectly, I can capture the essence of a place in a single image. I hope that by looking at my pictures people will feel the energy and the atmosphere of the place exactly as I saw it.

Go here to visit Victoria’s website, or follow her on Instagram >>>

The post Victoria Vykhodtseva | Capturing the Spell of a Daily Scene appeared first on Hue & Eye.

Imogen Hawgood is a UK-based artist and freelance illustrator, trained in Illustration at Norwich University of the Arts. Following recent trips to California, a focus to her has been the iconography of the American West, and the idea of ‘the road’ as a symbolic landscape, dotted with roadside icons- gas stations, motels, and neon oddities.

Her interest in cinema led to a body of work focused on the neon-lit facades of Los Angeles movie theatres.

She recently explained to us more about her art and work practice.

–

Hello Imogen, where are you from and where did you grow up?

I grew up in the English Countryside in the County Durham area.

When or how have you understood you wanted to become an artist?

I have always loved art, my childhood was filled with painting, drawing, and creating in any way that I could. I didn’t consider art as a serious career path until my Art Foundation course after my A-Levels when experimentation and pushing what you thought you could do became the norm. From there I went on to study illustration at Norwich University of the Arts, which is when I started experimenting with painting. After leaving university I have continued painting and honing my skills, finding inspiration from the wide streets of Los Angeles to the muddy field of British festivals.

Can you briefly say something about your technique and tell us what drives you to make art?

While I live and work in the English countryside, it was a visit to Los Angeles which has had the most influence on my work. I became fascinated by the iconography of the American West and have enjoyed translating the glowing neon of the Sunset Strip into my paintings. I’ve also found inspiration closer to home, painting the glowing lights of funfairs and food trucks across the muddy fields of British festivals.

I think my best work is based on my own experiences and memories. I take photos and videos of locations for reference and then work these ideas into oil paintings in the studio. While there is a foundation of realism within my work, I am most interested in creating an image that seems like a moment in time, highlighting the quiet beauty of the scenes that I depict.

What is the main feature that has changed in your works or practice throughout the years?

I think the main thing which has changed within my practice over the years, is a new appreciation of my immediate surroundings. While I am still drawn to the landscapes and cityscapes of Southern California, it is no longer the only subject I am painting. I have recently enjoyed painting locations that are closer to home, and more familiar to me. A recent series of paintings depicts the classic British festival experience; rain, mud, and all. I found inspiration in the way food trucks and festival stalls seemed to glow and draw us in from the darkness of the muddy fields. I think my work based on my own experiences captures a bit more authenticity.

Which artist primarily inspires your work? And is there something else, outside visual arts, that keeps you motivated?

I have always found the work of painters like Edward Hopper and David Hockney to be hugely inspiring, partly due to the shared love of Americana. I find a lot of inspiration from film and TV. I am particularly drawn by stark lighting traditionally used in Film Noir, and more contemporary takes on this genre like the neon chaos of Ridley Scott’s Neo-Noir Blade Runner.

How would you like people to engage with your work?

I would like audiences to be able to engage with my work both in person at exhibitions and galleries, as well as online via my website and social media.

Go here to visit her website, or follow her on Instagram >

Read similar articles on Hue&Eye Mag >>>

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Arte Laguna Prize is an international contemporary art contest that welcomes artists of any age, country, and artistic background, without gender differences and with a free theme. The contest offers many opportunities to the participants, who can increase their network, get global visibility, and get access to precious resources to develop their careers.

With 18 years of history, the Arte Laguna Prize gives artists the opportunity to:

• Exhibit in Venice (Italy) at the Arsenale Nord;
• Win a cash prize of €10,000;
• Join a large network of collaborations around the world;
• Get free visibility;
• Sell their works on the online platform artelaguna.world;

The Prize is open to the following artistic disciplines: painting, sculpture and installation, photographic art, video art, short films, performance and acting (stage and film), digital art, digital graphics and cartoons, environmental and land art, urban art, street art, and design.

The International Jury

The jury selects the 120 artists that will exhibit at the Arsenale Nord in Venice. It is is composed of important curators and directors of museums operating in several countries, such as:

• Laura Barreca, Art Historian and Scientific Director of MUDAC Museum of Arts
• Giulia Colletti, Public Programs and Digital Sphere’s Curator at Castello di Rivoli Museo D’arte
• Contemporanea
• Krist Gruijthuijsen, Director of Kw Institute in Berlin
• David Max Horowitz, Assistant Curator at The Solomon R. Guggenheim
• Lu Peng, Academic Committee Director Of Chengdu Biennale
• Anushka Rajendran, Curator of Prameya Art Foundation
• Gonzalo Herrero Delicado, Curator, Educator and Architect

The Exhibition Venue

A symbol of the power of the “Serenissima” Republic, the Arsenale Nord of Venice is today a completely restored area. With its 4,000 square meters, the evocative spaces of the Arsenale Nord provide the ideal setting for displaying and promoting the finest creations of the contemporary art scene.

You’ll have the unique opportunity to exhibit in the iconic space of the Arsenale Nord of Venice from March 02 to April 01, 2024, during an international exhibition that welcomes more than 10 10,000 visitors each year.

The Network

Each year Arte Laguna Prize collaborates with high-level international partners to offer artists a wide range of opportunities around the world. The Special Prizes include collaborations with:

• art galleries, that will select an artist for a solo exhibition;
• art residencies in Italy and abroad, to provide artists with a multicultural and inspiring environment
• to create new works;
•  companies, to connect creativity with the productive sector;
• art festivals and exhibitions, to enhance the artists’ international visibility and create new projects;

Conditions of Participation

Applications have no restrictions and are open to all artists. The deadline is on October 26, 2023.

Fine their Terms & Conditions here.

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We selected 6 artists to follow in 2023, but to discover them, let’s dive back to the past year. The contemporary art market is officially back in motion, and 2022 saw particularly notable increases in interest in street artists, abstract painters, fine art photographers, and expressive portraiture. Producing quality and thought-provoking work, the artists on this list are making waves in the contemporary art world. 

1. Felipe Pantone

Felipe Pantone is an Argentinian artist, born in Buenos Aires. When he was young, he moved to Spain to discover graffiti and, later, experiment with it. He obtained an Art diploma in Valencia, where he still has his studio.

An eternal wanderer, his mural paintings are visible in Tokyo, London, Osaka, Paris and many other cities.

Felipe Pantone draws inspiration from several artists like José María Yturralde, Frédéric Platéus, Herb Lubalin, Sozyone Gonzalez, Steven Powers, not to mention Demsky.

His work combines typography and abstraction with extremely modern aesthetics. Strictly avant garde, his unique style re-invents graffiti art with futuristic and kinetic art. He uses a palette of colors with geometric pattern of optical art, by defying movement and perspective. A true chameleon, he explores text, neon and metallic colors.

Felipe Pantone puts together a new visual language, on the borders of the digital era, technology and society.

His work has been exhibited around Europe, America, Australia and Asia.

Follow Felipe on Instagram >>> 

2. Maude Ovize

Born in 1980, Maude Ovize is a French artist, living and working in Lyon.

Graduated from the fine arts of Saint Etienne, she moved to Lyon in 2005 and works since the question of the motif in painting. She is part of a collective of artists working in a workshop on the slopes of the Red Cross, the Mecca of the Lyon creation.

In her journey around the question of the motif, Maude Ovize is currently working on a series devoted to water which she explores all aspects: sensation, matter, light, color.

Follow Maude Ovize on Instagram >>>

3. Kaws

Brian Donnelly, aka Kaws, is an American artist and designer born in 1974 in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA. As a street artist, painter, illustrator, sculptor, publisher, his work touches on everything that surrounds the world of Pop Art.

After receiving his Bachelor of Fine Art in Illustration in 1996 from the School of Visual Arts in New York, Kaws briefly worked for Disney as a freelance animator. Today he lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

Kaws began his career in the 1990s with street interventions. He superimposed his own work onto billboards, bus stops, and phone booth advertisements. As he became more well-known, his ads were taken down and collected by people. He created or reused well-known characters from comics and cartoons in his offbeat imagery. Subjects like the Michelin Man, the Simpsons, Mickey Mouse, Snoopy, Sponge Bob, are all common figures rooted in the collective imagination that allows the artist to adopt a universal language. Kaws’s goal is to make art accessible to all. He signs all his creations with a very particular trademark: figures with crossed-out eyes, making his style easily recognizable.

After becoming famous, Kaws appropriated different techniques and extended his artistic production to the world of sculpture and painting on canvas. The passage from 2D to 3D works is motivated by his search for greater mastery of space and reality. His sculptures can reach monumental dimensions. Some of his giant characters have been exposed in front of museums, and they never fail to draw the attention of passers-by.

Kaws’s work is influenced by Pop Art, but also by artists such as Gerhard Richter, Claes Oldenburg, or Chuck Close.

Follow Kaws on Instragrams >>>

4. Thandiwe Muriu

Passionate about photography since the age of 14, Thandiwe Muriu grew up in Kenya in a family marked by art, surrounded by a sister who is a stylist and a second one, a virtuoso pianist. She refined her photographic practice during her teenage years, influenced by Vogue magazine and the aesthetic canons in the front page of this women’s publication. She took one of her sisters as a model and tried to portrait her with complete freedom.

It is the time of the rise of social networks, her photographs meet a great success and lead her to sign her first commission as a young talent.

After graduation, passionate about the 8th art, she dedicates herself definitively to fashion photography and at the age of 23, signs her first contract for an international campaign.

Like her fellow citizens, it is important for her to highlight the natural beauty of women with whom she identifies herself. Her compositions are in keeping with the beauty criteria of a black femininity. Essential models for the African readership at home and from the diaspora too often absent from the front pages of magazines.

Also, she sublimates through her art, black skin and afro hairstyles that deserve to be more than ever valued. Moreover, the photographer reconnects with the glorious past of African empires by using fabric, declined in frank and vivid colors enveloping her subjects.

Determined, passionate, she wishes to spearhead a new generation of committed women entrepreneurs in Kenya through her art, destined to write an inspiring story for many of them. Next challenge? To photograph a cover of Vogue.

She considers the series entitled “Camo” (2015) as a particularly personal achievement marking a decisive stage in her artistic process.

Follow Thandiwe Muriu on Instagram >>>

5. Okuda

Okuda (Oscar San Miguel) is a Spanish artist born in 1980 in Santander. He lives and works in Madrid. His work deals with the meaning of life and its contradictions. The artist tries to make us reflect upon the conflits between modernity and humanity’s roots, upon war and violence.

Okuda is a major international artist, selected in the top 100 of the Urban Contemporary Art Guide 2014. He has worked with major brands and travels the world painting on trains, buildings, walls and showing his work in major art galleries.

Follow Okuda on Instagram >>>

6. Javier Rey

Javier Rey is a Colombian artist & photographer. His work is in many collective exhibitions, one solo exhibition and several international art fairs such as ArtLima (Peru), Scope Art Fair (Miami) and La Feria Del Millón (Colombia). Rey’s work has also appeared in books such as “Unlocked”, by the Greek collective Atopos, and was chosen as one of the 145 most relevant visual artists and photographers on the web in 2015. His photographs in which he explores the physical structure and the possibilities of sculpture through photography have been featured in several publications in Colombia, USA, Mexico, Germany, Spain, Denmark and other countries.

Follow Javier Ray on Instagram >>>

Read similar articles on Hue&Eye.

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