A Pictorialist's Itinerary: Traces of a Unique Gaze
“An international career that has consolidated a unique vision: the dialogue between Baroque sensibility and the infinite possibilities of contemporary photography, where his work seeks light in a world of shadows.”
Through a journey spanning three continents, Diego Orlando's photographic work has carved a distinctive path in the landscape of international contemporary art. His artistic vision, which masterfully intertwines the dramatic sensibility of the Baroque with the possibilities of contemporary fine art photography, has captivated cultural institutions, art galleries, and collectors with its ability to create images that transcend conventional categories. In each international exhibition, his photographic work reveals new layers of meaning, establishing a unique dialogue between pictorial tradition and innovation in artistic photography.
In 2016, The Littel Project, part of the Toneelhuis program, marked his first international exhibition in fine art photography. This space, known for promoting innovative projects in the contemporary visual arts, highlighted Orlando's ability to transform the everyday into visual narratives that challenged the limits of traditional photography.
His participation at the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art (LACDA) between 2019 and 2020 positioned his work at the intersection of digital art and contemporary photography. This center, a benchmark for digital art in the United States and a frequent collaborator with institutions like the Centre Pompidou and The Broad, validated his avant-garde approach and allowed him to engage with the most relevant trends in contemporary art on the American West Coast.
In 2021, the Millepiani Gallery in Rome presented “Windows into the Virtual,” a photography exhibition organized by LoosenArt. This collective, committed to creating meaningful connections between visual artists and the public, offered an ideal space to explore the boundaries between the real and the virtual. Orlando's photographic work resonated particularly in this context, bringing a unique perspective that connected Renaissance pictorial tradition with new digital realities.
Participation in the London Art Biennale in 2021 represented a crucial moment in his international artistic career. Regarded by critics like Pulitzer Prize winner Lonnie Schlein as one of the most important platforms after Venice, this event placed his artistic photography at the center of the debate on the most significant currents in contemporary art. In 2022, the 2BIENALBLACK in Brazil elevated his photographic work to a new level of global dialogue. Supported by Itaú Cultural and the International Association of Women's Museums, this biennale underscored his ability to explore themes such as identity and representation within a Latin American context.
In 2023, his inclusion in ICONIC Artist and his participation in the ICONIC Photo Show in Milan marked a decisive moment in his international fine art photography career. This platform, dedicated to discovering and promoting outstanding creative talents in contemporary art, provided a key showcase that connected his work with new global audiences. ICONIC, with its commitment to celebrating creative excellence beyond traditional categorizations, validated the strength and originality of his vision in fine art photography.
This recognition led to his participation in ImageNation Paris 2024, an international exhibition held at Galerie Joseph Le Palais. Established as one of the leading international platforms for contemporary artistic photography, ImageNation brought together over 400 photographers from around the world in an unprecedented visual dialogue. Orlando's work stood out for its ability to build bridges between the classical and the contemporary, resonating deeply with the most innovative currents in photography today.
In the same year, his solo exhibition at J70 in San Sebastián marked an intimate and special moment: his official presentation in his hometown. This event not only connects his work with his roots but also introduces his work to a local audience in a profoundly personal context.
In October 2024, Diego Orlando made a significant return to the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art (LACDA) with the exhibition “LACDA Reboot and Reunion.” This inaugural event at LACDA's new venue symbolized the post-pandemic rebirth of digital art and reaffirmed his position at the forefront of contemporary artistic photography. His participation highlighted his continued commitment to exploring the intersections of photographic technique and innovation in a space fundamental to his artistic development.
His participation at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco, as part of the “Paracosmic Escape” exhibition curated by Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, significantly expanded his presence in the North American art market. This space, renowned for its focus on new contemporary art and the promotion of representative West Coast artists, offered an ideal context to connect his fine art photography with a diverse and discerning audience.
The year 2024 culminated with a fine art photography exhibition at the Factoría de Arte y Desarrollo in Madrid, curated by Javier Díaz-Guardiola. As the art, architecture, and design coordinator for ABC Cultural and editor-in-chief of ABC de ARCO, Díaz-Guardiola represents one of the most influential voices in contemporary Spanish art criticism. His analytical perspective on Orlando's photographic work brings a new dimension that enriches the interpretation of his work within the current contemporary art context.