Alexandro Pelaez is a multi-award winning Latin American fine art film photographer based in London who initially started his professional career in Advertising in USA. Having moved to London in 2001, Alexandro completed his second BA (Hons) at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. Since then, Alexandro has received numerous photography awards around the world and has worked over the years on various photography projects with different clients in the UK, Latvia, Germany, Italy, France, Hong Kong, China, Mexico and USA.
Alexandro has been recently awarded with Honorable Mention Award at the 2023 PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris in the category of “Special Effects”. He won Gold Winner Award at the 2021 New York Photography Awards in the category Film Photography and was awarded with the First Prize Award at the 2020 Chromatic Photo Awards in the category of Street Photography and was Finalist at the AOP 2020 OPEN AWARDS. He received the 2nd Place Award by the IPA International Photography Awards 2019 in New York in the category of Analogue.
Alexandro’s last two Solo Exhibitions were LONDONERS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTS (2018) at the Herrick Gallery (London, UK) and ECLECTIC (2019) at Bermondsey Project Space (London, UK).
Alexandro recently exhibited at StART Art Fair 2023 at the Saatchi Gallery, London, UK where he showed his latest project URBE JUNGLE, a series of Multiple Exposure (Film and Digital) photographs of London and New York City.
‘When I am shooting in double exposure with my 35mm and 120mm film cameras, in a way and style, I am trying to portray the true essence of a city or an area. What I want to convey is my perspective of “what you see is what you get” by capturing those unique moments when I catch an image. The double exposure allows me to capture all that but can take my images to a different level where I can be more creative by holding double-layered scenarios that will give the viewer a magical, almost surreal, perspective and sense of unnatural futurism.’
Are you self-taught or did you go to art school? Can you tell us about your journey into art?
I studied and worked in advertising in the USA, so my background was graphic design. I always had a passion for photography and art in general thanks to my parents who took me to art exhibitions almost every weekend back home in Venezuela and whenever we travelled, especially in Europe. I moved to London in 2001, where I did my second BA at Central Saint Martins and decided to focus on photography. To be honest, working throughout the early 2000’s as a printer at University and as photographer assistant for two photographers of two completely different types of photography; one in Sport and the other in Fashion, is where I really learned and gave me a good taste of the photography world and business.
How would you describe your style?
My style for the last fourteen years has been shooting multiple exposure photographs with digital and analogue cameras. But I have been working mainly with film for the last eight years. The two main reasons for it is because I enjoy very much experimenting with the technique and I am not a big fan of the postproduction process of retouching. The double or multiple exposure is always going to show a lot of information on the final image, so in essence, I prefer doing everything with the camera itself and keeping it very natural and simple.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
My artistic process as I mentioned on the previous question, is to get everything done with the camera. It is a lot of work and extremely difficult to capture two different areas or moments that can both work or look good on the same frame. I try to keep it very simple and honest, but at the same time, I try to take that picture, where the colours, perspectives and subjects can be aligned into the perfectly balanced image.
Is narrative important within your work?
Narrative or creating a storyline has not been a focus on my work or current project.
If you could own one work of art what would it be and why?
If I could own one work of art it would have to be at least one of my favourite three photographs of Ansel Adams: “The Tetons and the Snake River”, “Jeffrey Pine” and “Stark Mountain”. Ansel Adams’ work is perhaps the first photographer that grabbed my eye when I started taking pictures in the early 90’s. I love how he managed to achieve that powerful contrast in his pictures with the equipment he used back in the day. He was without a doubt a master of his craft.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
I have many different artists, but mainly I am inspired by Ansel Adams, Peter Lindbergh, Emmanuel Lubezki and Steve McCurry. The reason for it is because of the simplicity of their photos but yet so powerful.
What or who inspires your art?
There are two things that inspires me; first, the energy or calmness of a city or area where I am taking pictures. I try to absorb that mood and personality and express it in my own way. The second thing that inspires me to go out and take pictures and experiment with the technique is when I look at other artist’s process and mistakes they go through in order to complete and finish their final piece.
Do you have any studio rituals?
No studio rituals at all, perhaps I put music in the background that reminded me of the moment when I was taking those specific pictures. For example, when I took pictures in New York the song “Empire State of mind” was played 24 hours outside in the streets by most of the delivery cyclists! (among other songs). So yes, I sometimes play those tracks when I am working on the postproduction of those shoots so in a way it brings back the energy and feelings I had while taking those photos.
What are you working on currently?
I am still working on my eight-year project ECLECTIC which is a series of double exposure photographs of Street Environments of different cities, countryside and beaches from around the world. Where each city has its own personality, liveliness or calmness, colours and all the elements that makes them unique. All pictures were taken with the 35mm and 120mm film cameras.
Where can we buy your art?
You can buy my art either through contacting my agent: Servanne Sohier from Art In Agency servanne@artin.agency or directly through me: alex@alexandropelaez.com
