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BIOGRAPHY

As a relative newcomer to the art gallery scene Diego Portuondo has far exceeded his expectations. After leaving St. Martins in London and taking a brief hiatus from photography Diego has reinvented his style and re-acquainted himself with artistic photography. Diego’s “Head On” series uses photography as a medium for artistic expression, nature and human form unite to convey deeply expressive emotion. Explored through form, the play between black and white and color, and controlled versus natural light create a world of Diego’s own, that we are only briefly invited to visit. His investigation on aesthetics is not only reflected on his images, but also his choice of subject matter. The focus of the “Head On” series being the phrenological busts, which date from the latter part of the 19th century and are almost entirely unknown in our modern lives. The busts are the visual representation of the phrenological parts of the brain as believed by 19th century scientists. Phrenology is the study of the structure of the skull to determine a person’s character and mental capacity. The busts also act as canvas for Diego’s juxtaposed images, such as landscapes, airport runways at night, and idyllic sunsets. The combination of Phrenological busts and modern moments convey a heightened sense of awareness of our place in a modern world and its humble beginnings. Diego’s artistic influences are as diverse as his subjects, dada, surrealist, abstract expressionism, pop art, and early photography all play an important role in his composition, subject matter, and palette. Most reminiscent in “Head On’ are the influences of Man Ray, Magritte, and Dali, however Diego does not strive to create a surreal world as these artists did, but an image of a world in the study of phrenology. His vibrant sometimes-violent colors are a mixture of abstract expressionists and Pop artists such Rothko, Wesselman, and Warhol, yet the sensual poses and stark compositions remind one of Georgia O’Keefe, Edward Weston and Imogen Carter. The balance between nature and the clinical aspect of the phrenological busts give the image a sense of monumentality and equilibrium, the famous photographer Russel James said it well when reacting to “Head On,” “(In these images) I see success and amazing creativity.”

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