My name is Sergio A. Delgado and I'm a photographic artist. I want my images and art to make you feel or think. I just want the viewer to
connect with the art.
How long have you been a photographer?
I bought my first camera when I was 15 years old to take pictures of subjects for reference material for my paintings. I remember a time when
photography was not that important to me as a medium. Now I could not live without my camera. I remember embracing photography about
age 20 or so and I became a B&W purist. I’m not so much of a purist these days. Although I still do many B&W images, I work in color and I’
m trying to use more materials in my final presentations in the future.
How did you become interested in art?
I remember my mom showing me how to draw a cat when I was very young and it was pretty rudimentary stick figure looking cat. I took the
pen and drew a cat that was much different from her cat drawing. I’m sure the cat was not that great, but I remember my mother showing my
whole family and saying that I was going to be an artist. Growing up I wanted to be a fireman, or a police man to help people.
Being self-taught artist who is constantly experimenting and trying new things, how do you figure out what direction your art
should go in the future?
Let me start with why I like to experiment with my art. I’ve been to countless art openings where the work on the walls are too similar for my
attention span. I made a conscious effort to keep my work varied and never be afraid to try new things even if they don’t work in the end. As far
as my future as an artist <shifts in the chair>, I only hope one day to be recognized by the art world and my secret dream is to get protested.
<laughs> I mean I know the type of work I want to do in the future and let’s just say that it's subject and themes are worthy of being protested.
<crosses fingers and smiles> I guess the secret is out.
Who are your main influences?
I have so many really. I’ve always liked Joel Peter Witkin, Jeff Bark, Cindy Sherman, Nan Goldin, Terry Richardson, David LaChapelle, Robert
Frank, Man Ray and Helmut Newton. Then there are artist like Robert Rauschenberg, Chuck Close, Matthew Barney, Francis Bacon, and Odd
Nerdrum that I love and admire. The list goes on and on.
Tell me about your first art show?
It was 2005 and a friend named David Jessup came to me and asked if I wanted to do an art show with him and another friend. I agreed and
worked for over three months to get enough work for that show. It was the push I needed to do my own photographic artwork. We all worked
within a theme or central idea. The show was Body Parts.
How did you overcome your nerves?
I think I just had to let the fear go. I thought the worst thing that could happen was that people would not respond well to my art. I did have
some friends say that they had no idea that these images were in my head. I think as the night progressed I became more comfortable with
my work up on the wall. It was a great learning experience. I even manage to sell a few pieces from that show.
What was it like selling your first piece at a show?
I’m sure all artist in the beginning have that feeling of doubt and think no one will want to buy their work, but doing that first sale made me feel
like someone other than myself got my work and appreciated it enough to hang it up in their world. It was a great feeling of artistic validation.
How do you get your ideas for the subject matter you photograph?
My ideas come from life in general - through music, literature, movies, dreams, and other artist’s work. I think I see the world a little different
than most other people. I find that I’ll be engaged in some menial task and an idea or concept forces its way into my conscious mind.
What are you reading right now?
Susan Sontag – On Photography
What is the strangest thing you’ve ever photographed?
<laughs> I always say my photo shoots are pretty surreal, I mean it’s very professional, but no matter how professional you keep the
environment, one is still photographing a person rolled up in a rug in an alley, or a nude guy in a trunk of a car, or trying to make sure the
passing cars don’t call 911 because I have a noose around my neck, and I’m being looked on by my assistant and the garage door is open. Or
wedging myself into an oven that I really thought was larger and getting stuck. Thank God for assistants, I say. Each of my photo shoots have
their own stories.
Where will you be showing this year and what themes will it explore?
This year I plan to show several new series. I’m almost done with my Kill Yourself Now; Heal Yourself Now series that deals with suicide.
The total will be 15 pieces and I lack 4 more images in this series. I’m also working on my The Sensualist series that is a sensual exploration
in photography. Then I have my Portraitique series that are portraits or anti-portraits. And lastly there is my Neurotica series. I hope to
explore all things that creep me out about what some people find erotic. I have lots of work ahead of me.
What does the next year hold for you and your art?
Gallery shows hopefully. I have several that are interested in my current work, and a contemporary gallery in Rome Italy that is interested in
my work as well. They have launched many new artists to house hold names. Well, art house hold names. I really feel the sky is the limit.
If you were ever to die, what would you want to be remembered for?
My art; as a good person; as a man who wanted to simply create for the sake of creating. I’d like to be remembered like everyone else. I want
to leave this world a little better than when I was here.
connect with the art.
How long have you been a photographer?
I bought my first camera when I was 15 years old to take pictures of subjects for reference material for my paintings. I remember a time when
photography was not that important to me as a medium. Now I could not live without my camera. I remember embracing photography about
age 20 or so and I became a B&W purist. I’m not so much of a purist these days. Although I still do many B&W images, I work in color and I’
m trying to use more materials in my final presentations in the future.
How did you become interested in art?
I remember my mom showing me how to draw a cat when I was very young and it was pretty rudimentary stick figure looking cat. I took the
pen and drew a cat that was much different from her cat drawing. I’m sure the cat was not that great, but I remember my mother showing my
whole family and saying that I was going to be an artist. Growing up I wanted to be a fireman, or a police man to help people.
Being self-taught artist who is constantly experimenting and trying new things, how do you figure out what direction your art
should go in the future?
Let me start with why I like to experiment with my art. I’ve been to countless art openings where the work on the walls are too similar for my
attention span. I made a conscious effort to keep my work varied and never be afraid to try new things even if they don’t work in the end. As far
as my future as an artist <shifts in the chair>, I only hope one day to be recognized by the art world and my secret dream is to get protested.
<laughs> I mean I know the type of work I want to do in the future and let’s just say that it's subject and themes are worthy of being protested.
<crosses fingers and smiles> I guess the secret is out.
Who are your main influences?
I have so many really. I’ve always liked Joel Peter Witkin, Jeff Bark, Cindy Sherman, Nan Goldin, Terry Richardson, David LaChapelle, Robert
Frank, Man Ray and Helmut Newton. Then there are artist like Robert Rauschenberg, Chuck Close, Matthew Barney, Francis Bacon, and Odd
Nerdrum that I love and admire. The list goes on and on.
Tell me about your first art show?
It was 2005 and a friend named David Jessup came to me and asked if I wanted to do an art show with him and another friend. I agreed and
worked for over three months to get enough work for that show. It was the push I needed to do my own photographic artwork. We all worked
within a theme or central idea. The show was Body Parts.
How did you overcome your nerves?
I think I just had to let the fear go. I thought the worst thing that could happen was that people would not respond well to my art. I did have
some friends say that they had no idea that these images were in my head. I think as the night progressed I became more comfortable with
my work up on the wall. It was a great learning experience. I even manage to sell a few pieces from that show.
What was it like selling your first piece at a show?
I’m sure all artist in the beginning have that feeling of doubt and think no one will want to buy their work, but doing that first sale made me feel
like someone other than myself got my work and appreciated it enough to hang it up in their world. It was a great feeling of artistic validation.
How do you get your ideas for the subject matter you photograph?
My ideas come from life in general - through music, literature, movies, dreams, and other artist’s work. I think I see the world a little different
than most other people. I find that I’ll be engaged in some menial task and an idea or concept forces its way into my conscious mind.
What are you reading right now?
Susan Sontag – On Photography
What is the strangest thing you’ve ever photographed?
<laughs> I always say my photo shoots are pretty surreal, I mean it’s very professional, but no matter how professional you keep the
environment, one is still photographing a person rolled up in a rug in an alley, or a nude guy in a trunk of a car, or trying to make sure the
passing cars don’t call 911 because I have a noose around my neck, and I’m being looked on by my assistant and the garage door is open. Or
wedging myself into an oven that I really thought was larger and getting stuck. Thank God for assistants, I say. Each of my photo shoots have
their own stories.
Where will you be showing this year and what themes will it explore?
This year I plan to show several new series. I’m almost done with my Kill Yourself Now; Heal Yourself Now series that deals with suicide.
The total will be 15 pieces and I lack 4 more images in this series. I’m also working on my The Sensualist series that is a sensual exploration
in photography. Then I have my Portraitique series that are portraits or anti-portraits. And lastly there is my Neurotica series. I hope to
explore all things that creep me out about what some people find erotic. I have lots of work ahead of me.
What does the next year hold for you and your art?
Gallery shows hopefully. I have several that are interested in my current work, and a contemporary gallery in Rome Italy that is interested in
my work as well. They have launched many new artists to house hold names. Well, art house hold names. I really feel the sky is the limit.
If you were ever to die, what would you want to be remembered for?
My art; as a good person; as a man who wanted to simply create for the sake of creating. I’d like to be remembered like everyone else. I want
to leave this world a little better than when I was here.
In the Land of Abject Art
Questions & Answers with the Artist
Sergio A. Delgado
Thanks You All
One thing that you should know about
Sergio if you don’t already know - His
dark eyes are constantly observing.
And in those big compassionate eyes
lies a creative mind that soaks up
what is revealed in life. He stores
information, ideas, and future
concepts that just await their creative
outlet. He has held a camera’s
viewfinder to his eye for over a
decade now, and his images are a
testament to his life.
Thanks You All
One thing that you should know about
Sergio if you don’t already know - His
dark eyes are constantly observing.
And in those big compassionate eyes
lies a creative mind that soaks up
what is revealed in life. He stores
information, ideas, and future
concepts that just await their creative
outlet. He has held a camera’s
viewfinder to his eye for over a
decade now, and his images are a
testament to his life.
Links
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