Manuel Vilariño Seco

Born by the ocean and deeply connected to nature, Galician artist Manuel Vilariño uses photography as his primary tool. He sees photography and poetry as inseparable, creating works that are both meditative and symbolic. Vilariño's artistic journey began with biology studies but blossomed into photography exhibitions worldwide. Travels to India and Ethiopia significantly influenced his style. A 2002 exhibition cemented his reputation, and he has since received prestigious awards and recognition. His work, often in black and white but also in color, explores themes of nature, animals (elevated to symbolic status), and mortality. Still lifes referencing Eastern cultures and Spanish baroque paintings are a recurring motif. Vilariño isn't limited to photography, recently incorporating installations into his artistic practice. The Afundación Collection holds two of his works. "Sula Bassana" (1985) depicts a fragmented albatross head alongside an industrial tool, referencing medieval bestiaries. "Black Cross, Red Beetle" (2001) explores death through a colorful scene with Hindu influences, featuring a beetle and crosses. Both works exemplify Vilariño's ability to capture "always terrible beauty" through his lens.