
Spain / Australia
Bio
Spanish/Australian Alberto Sánchez is a photographer and multi-media artist based in Byron Bay, Australia. He prints, hacks and re-invents his own photographs using a unique hand-colouring technique, creating his own form of magic realism from a hybrid reality of physical and imagined worlds where photographic documentary is meshed with improbable landscapes.
Sánchez rediscovers the world through his viewfinder and re-visions that experience through his textured layering and evocative palette. His body of work explores the notions of urban expansionism, capitalism and how individuals define themselves in an increasingly overloaded sensorial environment.
Represented by Retrospect Galleries in Australia Alberto has exhibited extensively at Art Fairs in Europe, USA, South America, and throughout Asia where a significant portion of his work is photographed. Alberto has been gaining recognition from both institutions and commercial galleries around the world. His work has appeared in many press articles and publications.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I grew up in a small town in Castilla (Spain), an area surrounded by medieval castles, Roman aqueducts and Gothic cathedrals, culture and traditions that are still very much anchored in old Roman hierarchical structures. Moving to Australia 10 years ago, I have been able to reflect with the safety of distance, on how our identity, defined by place and time yields to the ever present spectre of change.
Our cities are torn between the ever-expanding commercial needs of a capitalistic culture and the human struggle to reclaim space. I explore the interaction between citizens and their landscapes and the modern rituals of everyday life in commercial centres. The hyper-expansionism in the cities I photograph represents the best and worst of contemporary urban consumption and the impacting result on human life.
My intention is simple: to alter our perception of the modern urban landscape. In the same way that a graffiti artist tags a train or a company posts a billboard advertising the latest iGadget, I manipulate and intervene with these photographs. I have painted, scratched and altered by means of physical action and free hand graffiti, creating a unique piece with each work. In a simple and spontaneous manner, I pervert those photographs not just as a means of rebellion but also to re-arrange the message. My characters are set free to teem and detach themselves from the restraints of the factual, to indulge in a limbo, a deluded parallel reality.
Utdanning
2000-2002 | Apprenticeship Photography with Manuel Blanco - Madrid - SPAIN |
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2000 | Diploma Performing Arts - Ballyfermot College - Dublin - IRELAND |
1994 | Certificate Advance Photography course - Mexico City - MEXICO |
Separatutstilling
2018 | Art on a Postcard, Invited Artist, Paddle 8, London, UK |
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2017 | Solo Show, Hamstead AAF, UK, Retrospect Galleries |
2017 | Solo Show, Goodwin Gallery, Hamburg |
2017 | Fotoistanbul, Istanbul, Turkey, Invited Artist |
2015 | Presagio, Solo Exhibition, Lismore Regional Art Gallery, NSW, Australia |
2014 | Whistler Village Art Gallery, Canada - Exhibiting artist |
2014 | Amstel Gallery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Exhibiting artist |
2012 | Capturing Light - Retrospect Galleries - Byron Bay - NSW |
2011 | El Duelo Solo Show - Retrospect Galleries - Broadbeach - Gold Coast - QLD |
2011 | Hybrido Solo Show - Queensland Centre of Photography - Brisbane - QLD |
2011 | Shutter Speed - Retrospect Galleries - Byron Bay - NSW |
2010 | Carnies Kooks & Clowns - Retrospect Galleries - Byron Bay - NSW |
2010 | Tattooed - Retrospect Galleries - Byron Bay - NSW |
2010 | El Mar Mi Alma - Retrospect Galleries. Byron Bay - NSW |
Gruppeutstilling
2018 | Art Context, Miami, FL, USA |
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2018 | CCP Salon, Centre of Contemporary Photography, Melbourne, Australia |
2018 | AAF Hamburg, Germany |
2018 | Legacy - Your Collection Our Story, Monash Gallery of Art, Vic, Australia |
2018 | AAF NYC, New York, USA |
2018 | Boarder Art Prize, Tweed Regional Gallery, NSW, Australia |
2017 | Represented artist Nobel Gallery, Oslo, Norway |
2017 | AAF: London, New York, Hong Kong, Brussels, Hamburg, Stockholm |
2017 | Represented artist Kunthuizen Gallery, Amsterdam, Holland |
2017 | Represented artist Retrospect Galleries, Byron Bay, Australia |
2017 | Scope Art Fair, Miami |
2016 | Scope Art Fair, Miami Beach, Retrospect Galleries |
2016 | AAF: London, Hong-Kong, Singapore, Stockholm, Hamburg |
2016 | Asia Contemporary Art Fair, Hong Kong |
2015 | Context Art Miami, USA, with Amstel Gallery |
2015 | Art Silicon Valley, San Francisco, USA, with Amstel Gallery |
2015 | Asia Contemporary Art Fair, Hong Kong |
2015 | Photo Contemporary, LA, USA, with the Queensland Centre of Photography |
2015 | AAF: London, Singapore, Hong-Kong, Seoul, Stockholm, Hamburg |
2014 | Amsterdam LXRY, Amstel Gallery, The Netherlands |
2014 | AAF: Sweden, Germany,The Netherlands, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Italy, Belgium |
2013 | AAF: Sweden, Germany, The Netherlands, Singapore, Hong-Kong, Italy, Belgium |
2013 | Asia Contemporary, Hong Kong |
2012 | Art Toronto, Canada |
2012 | AAF: Singapore, Mexico, New York - USA, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden |
2012 | Shanghai Contemporary Artfair - Shanghai - China |
2012 | KIAF Artfair - Korea |
2012 | Arthamptons - The Hamptons - NY - USA |
2011 | Sunshine Coast Art Prize Finalist Exhibition - Caloundra Regional Gallery - QLD Prometheus |
2011 | Visual Arts Award Finalist Exhibition - Merrimac - QLD |
2011 | HeadOn Alternative Portrait Awards - Sydney and Melbourne |
2010 | Art Sydney - Royal Hall of Industries - Moore Park - NSW |
2010 | Art Melbourne - Royal Exhibition Hall - Carton - VIC |
2010 | HeadOn Alternative Portrait Awards - Sydney and Melbourne |
2009 | Olive Cotton Award - Tweed Regional Gallery - NSW |
2009 | HeadOn Alternative Portrait Awards - Sydney and Melbourne |
2008 | Olive Cotton Award - Tweed Regional Gallery - NSW |
Awards
2013 | Finalist in the Bowness Photography Prize |
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2013 | Finalist in the Wilson Visual Arts Award |
2011 | Finalist - Sunshine Coast Art Prize |
2011 | Finalist - Prometheus Visual Arts Award |
2011 | Finalist - HeadOn Alternative Portrait Awards |
2011 | Finalist - Brunswick Gallery Photography Prize |
2011 | Semi-finalist - Doug Moran Portrait Prize |
2011 | 1st Prize - Photography - Byron Bay Arts Classic |
2010 | AIPP QLD Portrait Photographer of the year - Runner Up |
2010 | HeadOn Alternative Portrait Awards - Shortlisted |
2010 | Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) National & Qld Awards - 1 Silver Distinction Award - 8 Silver Awards |
2009 | HeadOn Alternative Portrait Awards - Finalist |
2009 | HeadOn Alternative Portrait Awards - People’s Choice Award |
2009 | Olive Cotton Portrait Award - Highly Commended - Tweed Regional Art Gallery, NSW |
2009 | Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) National & Qld Awards - Portrait & Wedding Categories - 1 Silver Distinction - 6 Silver Awards |
2008 | Olive Cotton Portrait Award - Finalist - Tweed Regional Gallery |
2008 | AIPP National & Qld Awards - Portrait & Wedding Categories - 5 Silver Awards, 2 Bronze Awards |
2007 | AIPP National Awards - Wedding Category - 2 Silver Awards |