Today we’d like to introduce you to Verónica Mar.
Hi Verónica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Born a dreamer, raised flaneuse, and devoted street photographer.
I like to think of my own life as my most ambitious work of art. I am an artist with a great passion for creating universes and wandering the streets. Giving life to visually poetic urban imaginaries is fascinating to me.
I remember, since childhood, being a person with great interest in the creative world, in imagining; my taste for drawing, for walking, for history… things inherent to my essence and now present in my works of art.
Among the arts, the one most loved by me is photography, which has accompanied me for about twelve years. And, as I mentioned at the beginning, my other great passion is the flânerie (a term of French origin that describes the activity of wandering or walking without a destination, without a fixed course). I would say that this second one is a family inheritance since this has been a recurring activity in several generations of my family, and I was no exception. I really enjoy dedicating several hours of my day-to-day touring different areas and when possible, different territories and countries, with a keen eye and an openness to receive the surprises that cities offer.
Photography came into my life as a university student, and what started as a school subject in 2010 quickly turned into the most beautiful vice, which allowed me to combine my passion to explore cities. Naturally, over time that led me to develop as a street photographer.
This is how, over the years, I let this healthy vice take control, which has led me to live the most fun and incredible adventures, including taking my photographic work to other countries such as Spain, Chile, Cuba, Italy, and Scotland, hosting a small photography podcast/show with my best friend and publishing two photobooks.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some of the obstacles on this path appeared at a very early age: the family financial situation at times became precarious. The people around me did not believe in the possibility of surviving by dedicating themselves to something related to the arts. At first, I used to practice with borrowed cameras because I couldn’t afford one for myself.
Later, with more experience in the world of photography, I also remember some negative voices commenting that my photographs would not get anywhere, that I should look for another style or deal with other topics. Fortunately, I also found in the way people that would support my work and open new doors and opportunities for me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am visual artist. My specialization is in street photography. For much of my life, I have been accompanied by a keen interest in urban exploration. Through my work, I intend to deepen and build poetic imaginaries around my relationship with the city.
My influences are mainly found in Japanese photography from the ’60s and ’70s. Specifically from the Provoke movement. Hence, in my work, resources such as high contrasts, multiple exposure compositions, and a lot of black and white are found as the main characteristics.
Some of the most satisfying moments for me artistically and professionally have been publishing my two photobooks Ciudad Cielo and Visions de la Ciudad, seeing one of my photographs exhibited at Trieste Photo Days as part of the Urban Photo Awards selection, appear in CUARTOSCURO magazine (Mexican magazine dedicated to photography), participate in the Spectrum Art Fair and have a photography show with my best friend.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.veronica-mar.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/soyveronicamar
Image Credits
Mauricio Turrubiartes
Leyda Luz
