London-based Spanish photographer, Antonio Marguet has had a pretty successful kickstart to his photography career, to say the least. Less than a year after graduating from his Masters in Photography at London College of Communisation, he won the Sproxton Award 2011; he was part of the emerging best at the London Art Fair with the Catlin Art Guide 2012; he was part of the top 20 shortlisted artists at the Saatchi Gallery’s New Sensations exhibition which took place alongside Frieze Art Fair in October; he won the first prize for the Absolute Blank competition only a few weeks ago, and just to make you a little more green with envy, he recently exhibited at Other Criteria. We were impressed, hence we thought we better have a word or two to find out just how he does it! Oh and did we mention that before he took up photography he worked as a stylist and has a background in Fine Art. To top that off (if that’s possible) he was a pleasure to talk to.
Art Wednesday: You’ve only recently graduated from your MA and you’ve already lined up a series of exhibitions! How do you do it?
Antonio Marguet: Coming out of college and moving straight into the exhibition environment, I might dare say that I haven’t really spent a hell of a lot of time planning for things to work out this way. Luckily, the process of being approached from galleries occurred on its own, although I’m definitely keen to keep the momentum going.
AW: You were shortlisted for the Saatchi Gallery’s New Sensations a few weeks ago and won first prize for the Absolute Blank competition, what do you hope to win next?
AM: As an emerging artist, I am looking to become more visible and gain that little bit of belief and confidence. In a certain way, you can’t plan opportunities. Getting more new commissions would be good, but you never know where they’re going to come from or how they’re going to present themselves.
AW: Being Spanish, what made you move to London and stay for nearly 15 years now?
AM: The diversity and choices along with the DIY culture in London have become my everyday scenario. Now, I’m part of it, and my daily life in London is a driving force in my own practice. We are like life-sponges that like to be contaminated.
AW: Who inspires you, or do you follow your own set of rules?
AM: I have always found certain objects more interesting than anything else; unfolding their capacity to seduce is at the core of my practice. I tend to avoid rules, I rather follow my instincts and curiosity. I believe in the ability to pick choice moments out of the chaos, getting elements that surprise me rather than me controlling the entire process. This method unlocks a more genuine form of expression.
AW: What can we expect from your present exhibition at Flowers East gallery?
AM: Well, it’s a rare and unconventional group show. One witnesses the endeavour of Lorenzo Durantini, who has found digital manipulation as the first common thread that connects the artists in the show together. Beyond that, there are different readings, like how all of us question the role of images and how they relate to objects.
AW: Given you inter-disciplinary background and your work as a stylist, who would you like to collaborate with?
AM: If that would mean to get bogged down in regards to my creativity, I will not let it weigh on me negatively. At the moment I would like to maintain certain aversion to compromise within my own practice, although working with others can prove to be intense but also rewarding. I would consider an offer from a luxury emporium store, that would be fun!
This article was commissioned by Art Wednesday.
No comments:
Post a Comment