Artist Statement

I once did a shamanic drum circle and met my spirit guides. I discovered that my ancestors were not all Latino or Black. I discovered that my spirit did not always inhabit a male vessel. And from this pivotal experience, I finally understood how universal and connected we are.

My art examines themes of heritage, identity and mysticism through the intentional use of archetypes such as the mother, the warrior, the boy, and so on; archetypes that are typically seen in dreams or in tarot cards. My studies in psychology heavily guided my interest in the mind’s need to process complex thoughts and feelings through symbolic imagery. In this way, I use photographic images to share my own introspections with my viewers; to take mundane spaces like public parks or abandoned lots and transform them into dreamlike fantasy worlds and ascendant dimensions by using portable lighting with modifiers and props.

I channel most of my ideas from personal experiences, feelings, dreams and conversations I have with myself about the nature of my identity and how that comes into conflict with the outside world. Though my medium is digital photography, I am more inspired by mediums outside of photography which include rebellious thinkers and creators such as Rob Zombie, Kid Cudi, Maria Llovet, Todd McFarlane, Eolo Perfido. Franca Sozzani, Dario Argento and Zack De La Rocha. 

Alessandro Fresco Cerdas