L'nterview

Miguel Vallinas

This week, Yellowkorner invites you to discover the new series by photographer Miguel Vallinas. While his photos are often quite sober at first glance, they soon prove surprising or even zany.
Here, his reinterpretation of an evening meal with everyday objects presented as hors d’œuvre, is particularly delightful and delicious.
In this conversation, Miguel Vallinas describes his photographic practice.

 
 

Presentation

Born in 1971 in Medina del Campo in the Northwest of Spain, photographer Miguel Valinas Prieto has produced images for industry, television and advertising for over 20 years. He trained at the School of Photography and Cinema (EFTI) in Madrid, where he still lives today. Alongside his commercial activity, Miguel Valinas Prieto develops personal artistic projects that have earned him the merit of exhibiting in Hispanic galleries but also abroad and namely for the international Affordable Art Fair. He recently presented “Segunda Pieles” in London then Hong Kong.
In addition, his work is widely published in the specialised press such as Vogue, Vanity Fair or The Guardian.An accomplished artist, he finds inspiration in all kinds of subjects, whether contemporary architecture, urban landscapes or portraits.
Spanish photographer Miguel Vallinas takes an offbeat view of the world around us. While his photos are often quite sober at first glance, they soon prove surprising or even zany. Here, his reinterpretation of an evening meal with everyday objects presented as hors d’œuvre, is particularly delightful and delicious. Even without knowing him, it is easy to imagine Miguel Vallinas having a very dry wit.

 

Interview avec Miguel Vallinas

Why photography?
Miguel Vallinas : I have always had an artistic vocation, even if initially I had no idea what I wanted to do. Since I was a kid I’ve loved photography, painting, illustrations, and film. I’ve always loved music. And I chose photography because I didn’t have the patience to finish my paintings. Photography gives me great creative freedom and there’s a spontaneity to it that I appreciate.
When I was 17, I decided to become a photographer. This passion conditioned the rest of my life: my studies, my other passions, and my work… It wasn’t a problem if I was no good at first; I’ve always wanted to show my work. So I exhibited my photographs in cafes, bars, makeshift exhibition halls…
Later, I took photographs for furniture manufacturers’ catalogues. It was very instructive. I made photographs out of nothing. I created everything from scratch. I was devising and creating the spaces, the room, the decor, floor, windows, walls… A few years ago, I made a decision. I didn’t have enough time between my professional and artistic photographic activities, so I decided to take a risk and devote all of my time to my personal work.


What inspires you?
M.V. : Painting has always heavily inspired my personal work. Surrealist painters like Magritte, Salvador Dali, Marc Chagall, or Yves Tanguy inspired my most recent collections.


What makes your photographs unique?
M.V. : My photographs are unique since they are the result of a path that I decided to take. I didn’t choose the way I take my photographs, it chose me!
I’m not a field photographer, I never take my camera out with me. I prefer watching, constructing the image in my head and then returning to the studio with what I need to take the photo calmly. I’m the kind of photographer who is obsessed with the technical aspects, lighting, and composition…


What is the context of creation of this series?
M.V. : The Supper [Soups] collection explores imaginary worlds that crop up before our eyes, focusing on an everyday action in which abstraction so often emerges, eluding us yet transporting us elsewhere.
The photographs belonging to this series are configured under certain compositional premises that apply to all of the images. They are mainly composed of the essential elements of a soup, a dish, and a spoon. This is designed to create a subtle environment that highlights the story that develops out of the soup.


 
« My best reward is being able to spend my working hours on creative photography. »

 

Do you have an anecdote to share with us?
M.V. : When I started photographing artistic collections, many years ago, I had two collections in mind.
The one known as Matelas [Mattress] that I completed in 1999. And the other, about soup. The road led me elsewhere but now, twenty-one years later, Soups has finally left my head and exists as photos.


What is the photograph that you would’ve liked to have taken?
M.V. : I would like to have been Richard Avedon’s travelling companion in the American West. With a trusty Roleiflex. I would’ve liked to have scouted out such special models for my photographs and shared them with him.


What was your most recent prize / reward / source of pride?
M.V. : My best reward is being able to spend my working hours on creative photography. It’s a prize earned after many years of combining it with other activities.


What will your next projects be?
M.V. : I have a few ideas. I want them all to become new collections. I’m not short on ideas.
Soon, I’ll be moving into my new studio, which I’ve been building for a while now. I want this place to become my ongoing source of inspiration.


What is your favourite YellowKorner photo?
M.V. : I really appreciate many of the photographs at YellowKorner… It’s hard to choose one.
For instance, I really like Aurélien Villette because I love architectural photography.
There are many, many others… Kurt Arrigo, Luis Aguilera, Maria Svarbova, Nicolas Bets, Romina Ressia


DISCOVER NOW THE LATEST ARTWORKS OF Miguel Vallinas