Santiago Montoya - an artistic dissection

Daring, Dark and Demanding of attention.

This is the world Santiago creates through his photography.

The stunning juxtaposition of having delicately powerful models accompanied by harsh backgrounds and styling techniques contributes to the unmistakable feeling of surrealism which accompanies his work.

It's not just about picking up a camera and snapping pictures. If it were that easy, anyone could call themselves a photographer after spending a long summers day at the beach.

The talent comes in when you can pick up that same camera and produce magic.

Photography is an opportunity to create moments in time free from any standardized rules or regulations. An opportunity taken for granted or at the very least not taken advantage of by many people, but not by Santiago.

When speaking with him he explained his creative process and I distinctly recall being inspired by the way his mind operates. He possesses an unparalleled passion for his craft and at the same time views what he does in such a refreshing light. He is adamant on doing all the styling for each respective shoot himself which already places him heaps and bounds above the rest as it allows for a more authentic portrayal of his vision. After an initial interaction with his work you will find the styling to have left a notable impression and for good reason. Striking silhouettes accompanies unlikely clothing combinations to produce looks leaving you wondering what else he has up his sleeve.

"Zebra" is one such example. Acting as a sort of conversation starter after expressing my interest in his work, you are confronted with that which contradicts any and all normalities. Something which should not make sense for some reason does and you are left questioning what after all these years you've known to be true. Gorgeous ruby red earrings lay beside a soft face partially hidden by a black balaclava. The eyes have so much to say yet refuse to say anything at all, allowing the observer to become lost in a state of wonder. Dressed in a silk scarf, oversized shirt and sky blue skirt paired with heels made to appear as if they seamlessly become one with the human body. It is in this moment you realize that the creator had not simply placed clothes on a person but instead developed a character which has been brought to life in front of your very eyes.

This is a consistent theme with Santiago's work. He constructs these characters which ultimately form part of this world he has created and graciously shared with everyone.

A world which deserves more than to be consumed and criticized at face value.

"Araknida" further emphasizes the idea of developing beings from scratch, this time playing with the rules of distortion to create what appears to be almost creature-esque.

A monochromatic body with elongated arms contorted into your not so socially standard positions makes for the perfect addition to any modified version of reality. Maintaining a very real background provides us with the opportunity to imagine these creations as existing right beside us in our every day lives. It takes fantastical ideas and grounds them, allowing for a more comprehensible and digestible way of thinking. The goal is not to write plot lines for a fictional storybook but instead to make the unimaginable slightly more tangible.

To make the surreal slightly more real.

At 23 years old he already holds numerous Vogue features under his belt and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

He ultimately describes his work as revolving largely around the concept of psychorealism. This can be compared to photorealism used by people attempting to produce realistic interpretations of real life through various forms of graphic media. The primary difference being that instead of replicating something which exists, you dive into your own mind and bring to life the deepest parts of your psyche. It is the process of placing everything you simultaneously love and fear onto a plate for the indulgence of your audience.

This is where Santiago transcends the restrictive nature of labels such as "photographer" and "stylist" and instead enters the realm of being a true artist.

Having developed an admiration for the strange and the politically incorrect from a young age undoubtedly planted a seed in his brain capable of challenging societal constructs and standardized beauty ideals. Thankfully we have front row seats to witness these ideas being cultivated and set free through all of their many forms.

The multiple creative facets being explored both individually and collectively when incorporated into each project is a testament to his artistry. With the introduction of music soon to follow I'd say we have to buckle ourselves in for some exciting otherworldly audiovisual experiences in the very near future.