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.
CV
EDUCATION:
2000-2002 Apprenticeship Photography with Manuel Blanco - Madrid - SPAIN
2000 Diploma Performing Arts  - Ballyfermot College - Dublin - IRELAND
1994 Certificate Advance Photography course - Mexico City - MEXICO
EXHIBITIONS:
2015 Photo LA, USA, with the Queensland Centre of Photography
2015 Photo Contemporary, LA, USA, with the Queensland Centre of Photography
2014 Amsterdam LXRY, Amstel Gallery, The Netherlands
2014 Whistler Village Art Gallery, Canada - Exhibiting artist
2014 Amstel Gallery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Exhibiting artist
2014 Sweden, Germany,The Netherlands, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Italy, Belgium, AAF’s with Retrospect
2014 The Asia Contemporary Art Show, Hong Kong,
2013 Sweden, Germany, The Netherlands, Singapore, Hong-Kong, Italy, Belgium, AAF’s with Retrospect
2013 Asia Contemporary, Hong Kong
2012 Art Toronto, Canada
2012 Singapore, Mexico, New York - USA, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden, AAF’s with Retrospect
2012 Shanghai Contemporary Artfair - Shanghai - China
2012 KIAF Artfair - Korea
2012 Arthamptons - The Hamptons - NY - USA
2012 Capturing Light - Retrospect Galleries - Byron Bay - NSW
2011 Petits Travaux - Retrospect Galleries - Broadbeach - QLD
2011 Petits Travaux - Retrospect Galleries - Byron Bay - NSW
2011 Surf Culture Now - 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 Sunshine Coast Art Prize Finalist Exhibition - Caloundra Regional Gallery - QLD
2011 Prometheus Visual Arts Award Finalist Exhibition - Merrimac - QLD
2011 Art Melbourne - Royal Exhibition Hall - Carton - VIC
2011 Hidden Worlds - Retrospect Galleries - Broadbeach - Gold Coast - QLD
2011 HeadOn Alternative Portrait Awards - Sydney and Melbourne
2011 Shutter Speed - Retrospect Galleries - Byron Bay - NSW
2011 Fusion - Retrospect Galleries - Broadbeach - Gold Coast - QLD
2010 Petits Travaux - Retrospect Galleries - Byron Bay - NSW
2010 Art Sydney - Royal Hall of Industries - Moore Park - NSW
2010 Carnies Kooks & Clowns - Retrospect Galleries - Byron Bay - NSW
2010 Tattooed - Retrospect Galleries - Byron Bay - NSW
2010 Art Melbourne - Royal Exhibition Hall - Carton - VIC
2010 El Mar Mi Alma - Retrospect Galleries. Byron Bay - NSW
2010 HeadOn Alternative Portrait Awards - Sydney and Melbourne
2009 Olive Cotton Award - Tweed Regional Gallery - NSW
2009 HeadOn Alternative Portrait Awards - Sydney and Melbourne
2009 12x12 For the Tree - Retrospect Galleries - Byron Bay - NSW
2009 Where Mighty Giants Dwell - Retrospect Galleries - Byron Bay - NSW
2008 12x12 Miniatures Group Show - Retrospect Galleries - Byron Bay - NSW
2008 Olive Cotton Award - Tweed Regional Gallery - NSW
 
AWARDS:
2013 Finalist in the Bowness Photography Prize
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
 
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
2012 Photography Fastwards to Past - The Northern Star - March
2012 Capturing Light - The Echo - March
2011 El Duelo - Dazed and Confused Korea - September Issue - Issue 41 - p101-102
2011 El Duelo - Gold Coast Creative Magazine Issue 2
2011 Gold Coast Bulletin Paradise Magazine - Artworld feature article - Photofinish
2011 Semi-Permanent Book 3
2011 Sydney Morning Herald - write up on Alberto’s finalist picture in HeadOn Portrait Prize
2011 Gold Coast Bulletin Coast Confidential - Acrobats Soar High
2011 Double Take At Fusion - The Sunday Mail - pg 16 Events Arts Section - Jan 30
2011 InRetrospect 11 - featured artist - Annual Publication - Retrospect Galleries
2011 Byron Bay Echo - Those Sanchez Moments - Feature Article
2011 Byron Shire News - Creating art from that fleeting image
2011 Northern Star News - A photographic homage in Byron
2010 Northern Star News - Surf, sea and art
2010 MD Limited Editions - Photographers Special- 6 page spread
2009 Byron Bay Echo - Snappers records local life
2009 InRetrospect10 - featured artist - Annual Publication - Retrospect Galleries
2009 Monster Children - Front Cover Online - Picture of Ben Frost
2009 Byron Bay Echo - Frank scores for Alberto
2009 Tweed Border Mail - Blind portrait winner - Olive Cotton feature
2009 Tweed Link - Olive Cotton 2009 winner
2009 Tweed Sun - Haunting image wins photographic prize
2009 Gold Coast Bulletin Paradise Magazine - Portraiture judges Cotton on
2009 Coast and Country - Award winning artist has passion for portraits
2009 K
oori Mail - Front Cover
2009 Diario De Burgos - Suplimento Dominical
2008 Koori Mail - Front Cover