A fervid imagination and continuous experimentation translate into oneiric images made of a dreamlike narrative. With a strong aesthetic impact, Max Valerio’s photos speak a unique language of their own. They recall worlds of juxtaposed pseudo-reality, where words aren’t really necessary. His visions are characterized by an extravagant magic realism, where expression is exalted to its purest form.

Personal project shot in Venice by photographer Max Valerio

                                      Narrative photography between oneirism and reality

Fascinated by the human figure since childhood, Max Valerio begins his artistic and creative journey at the age of 13 as an expressionist painter. He approaches photography in 2006, because the act of photographing is like painting through light but also because it is a more immediate means of expression. He initially takes pictures of rock bands, to then draw nearer to the world of fashion, to illustrate it through his interpretation.

Coral-inspired look for a collaboration with Petite Photo Studio

Bewitched by his immersive images which seem like beams of romantic explorations with hidden messages, I contact him to have a chat over the phone.

Vintage colours for the series Americana / Art Project

Extravagant concepts between vintage and pop

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WHY
why and how did you end up in your career path?
From an interior push. When I was 13 I used to be a painter. I still am a painter, I make sculptures, I love working cement and everything which allows me to express myself. Photography is a means by which I can express myself in a more immediate manner compared to painting. Before it wasn’t considered as much as it is now, but it has always been a way for me to convey something. Of course now everything is digital and simpler. I’ve had a dark room in the past, but we are in the new millennium, so if you are a creative creature you have to adapt. I love photography because I can say thousands of things that are always different. If not I get bored. Without motivation you can’t do anything. Even a simple ray of light on a wall or on a person can motivate me. Inspiration comes from everything that comes to us; there are tons of unknown young emergents who produce very interesting work.

WHO
how would you describe yourself in a few words?
(laughs) I have a split personality which surprises me everyday. It’s nice and ugly all together because I never have an anchorage point and it makes feel a little borderline.

WHAT
what is your source of inspiration?
Everything. Life itself is a total source of inspiration. Even daily life may inspire me and when it happens it feels like a form of orgasm, but of a higher level in its pureness.

WHERE
where do you go to when you need a break?
Two places in particular. One is physical: the sea. By sea I mean where nothing is around you and all you see crystal-clear water and nothing surrounding. The other place is my head: music. I put it on full volume and get lost in myself. Music is like oxygen and the selection of it depends on the moment and what I have to do.

WHEN
when and what will your next steps be?
They‘re a bit of a surprise, because as I’m talking to you maybe they could already change. The next step is to absolutely create something; I would already want to be in the process of creating right now! And then I’d like to reunite a few creative minds together, where everyone brings something, an inspiration. That’s a way to find some inspiration to make new works, draw.

**WILDCARD
if you were a state of matter which one would you be?
I think I’d be water because it is ever-changing and takes any shape. I love water. It can do an infinite amount of things. It can be transparent or turbid; it’s so powerful.