Composition Spotlight - August Edition
Twenty curated works from emerging artists across the world.
Each month, we feature twenty emerging artists among the paid members of Compositionally Inclined.
The following are the strongest selection of images from each submission, chosen through Composition’s visual presentation. This compilation of works examines a wide range of artistic disciplines across fine art, photography, film, and other experimental mediums. To submit your work for next month’s edition, become a member.
Realms of Light by Árokszállási Döme
This series uses intentionally overexposed flash not only for lighting but also as a tool for shaping form. Exploring intimacy and isolation, Döme uses light as a storytelling medium to create the narrative of these images.
The overexposure creates an abstract figure, similar to a painting, creating a style that is rarely accomplished through photography as a medium.
See more of Döme’s work on his portfolio site.
The Industrial Cycle Shapes the Harbour by Mattia Salvatico
Photographed in Genoa, Italy, a maritime republic that once dominated the Mediterranean Sea, Salvatico documents the transformation of the harbour into a modernized version that has been shaped by capitalism over decades.
Salvatico pursues the development of the harbour by showcasing the industrial machines that are used to facilitate logistics and trade. This leaves the viewer to ponder the past of these ports and what they may have looked like during the years of Roman dominance.
See more of Salvatico’s work here.
Shades of Black and White by Nică Mircea-Cristian
In this series, Mircea-Cristian explores the relationship between subject and format through black and white image-making.
Using tonal selections and overexposure as a tool, the treatment of the images triggers an emotional depth more intimate than a color alternative. Mircea-Cristian’s approach to contrast maintains a reflective quality and creates a sentimental nature around the series.
See more of Mircea-Cristian’s work on his Instagram.
Yachty by Matthew White
White is a painter and illustrator inspired by comic book styles and cartoon illustrations. This selection is a portrait of the rapper Lil Yachty, who White is inspired by.
In White’s words, “I wanted to capture the essence of Lil Yachty. His live performances are always so raw.” The choice to render a close-up creates a satisfying composition, rarely found in typical portrait paintings.
See more of White’s in-progress work here, and his completed works here.
Submissions for September’s edition are open exclusively to members.
France by Brianna Richardson
While studying abroad in France and Switzerland during Richardson's senior year, she became enamored with the architecture of the European landscape.
Richardson was drawn to quieter locations where the composition, light, and color revealed the character of the place. She aims for the viewer to observe natural details which are often overlooked when traveling, and experience familiar places from a new perspective.
See more of her work here.
Memento Mori by Julia Sharashenidze
In this piece, Sharashenidze rendered a birth certificate with facelift scars, questioning society’s obsession with maintaining a youthful appearance with age.
By using a birth certificate as a backdrop, there is a distinctive origin of time. It represents the first moment of existence for a person. The juxtaposition of cosmetic scars creates a jarring thesis of the piece.
See more of Sharashenidze’s work here.
Venice and Naples by Giulia Costantini
Constantini is an Italian nurse who practices street photography on her off days. Working in black and white film, she captures the people of Italy operating throughout their daily lives.
In her practice, Constantini takes after the quote from Henri Cartier-Bresson, “To photograph is to hold one's breath, when all faculties converge in a moment of quick perception… It is putting one's head, one's eye, and one's heart on the same axis."
See more of Constantini’s work here.
Midwest Power by Ontaku
This series explores Midwestern America through the lens of a Chinese transfer student. It is Ontaku’s third year on Midwestern soil, and the mundane industrial structures still feel new and strange to him.
This region’s buildings and infrastructure directly oppose those of a city comprised of skyscrapers. Ontaku’s photographic choices reflect his curious approach to American land.
More of his work here.
Submissions for September’s edition are open exclusively to members.
Princessy by Oliwier de Nisau
Oliwier is a Polish cinematographer whose practice centers on handheld camera work and natural-light scenes. In this film, he used honesty as his guiding principle when filming, focusing on intimate angles of the protagonist to capture her emotions.
His shot selection builds a bridge from the viewer to the characters, making each scene feel as if the viewer is physically present with the actors.
Take a look at Oliwier’s cinematography portfolio here.
Out Amongst Em’ by Landrey Richardson
In this series, Richardson captures intimate shots of livestock on a farm in the American South.
She aims to focus on the peace and tranquility associated with taking care of livestock. What seems like a chore to most is a moment of respect between human and animal.
More of Richardson’s work on her Instagram.
People Watching by Sophie Dickson
Shot across Europe, this series investigates leisure as performance. Dickson explores unguarded moments among patrons at rest.
Rest is one of the only states where humans don’t find themselves concerned with their appearance, and this series explores that.
See more of Dickson’s work here.
Submissions for September’s edition are open exclusively to members.
Street Photography by Jonathan Faulkner
Faulkner examines the people of Fayetteville, North Carolina through a street photography approach.
In his own words, Faulkner captures the moment “no matter the situation.” This is reflected in his photography, given the uncomfortable nature of capturing strangers operating throughout public spaces.
Take a look at Faulkner’s work on his Instagram.
AWOL by Gianlucca Chumer
This series explores objects that indicate a human presence, past or present, without showing people in the actual photo. The project aims to capture portraits of individuals without actually documenting them.
The images bring attention to what’s been left behind, pushing the viewer to create their own narrative around what led to the result in each photograph.
See more of Chumer’s work here.
No Hard Feelings by Moidewo
This series follows two protagonists through a narrative that positions love as both sacred and forbidden. Inspired by Christian iconography, the styling, location, and poses create metaphors for guilt and sacrifice.
The black-and-white treatment creates a tone that evokes an emotional reflection from the viewer, rather than a clear answer.
See more of Moidewo’s work on his Instagram.
La Isla Bonita, San Pedro, Belize by Davide Iori
Iori photographs San Pedro, a Belizean island also known as La Isla Bonita. He documents the narrow streets and storefronts of the island.
Iori focuses on how the island has remained a tourist destination due to its beauty, even in a time when similar island destinations tend to decay due to modernization.
More of Iori’s work here.
Submissions for September’s edition are open exclusively to members.
Xochimilco Canals, Mexico City by The World in Analog
Aly from The World in Analog photographs the Xochimilco canals of Mexico City.
Xochimilco's canals are one of the last relics of the lake system in CDMX that predates the Spanish. Aly captures vendors paddling between party boats selling food, beverages, and gifts.
Take a look at more of Aly’s work on her Substack.
Liminal Spaces by Gael Castellanos
In this digital art project, Castellanos creates liminal spaces through compositing grainy textures and shapes. Inspired by a personal epiphany, he began this project as a representation of navigating past emotions.
The rendering of these spaces creates a feeling of uneasiness throughout each work. Each space becomes close enough to reality, as if it could exist, yet the dimensional nature of these places can only exist in a theoretical plane.
Take a look at Castellanos’ work on his website.
Tourists of Temple Bar by Leah Pollock
Pollock approaches people watching through the form of short video clips, as opposed to street photography. She explores the behaviors, movements, and mannerisms of her subjects, using the camera to inquire about their backstory.
Each clip is short enough to loop upon itself, leading one to analyze each subject’s movements and create a narrative around each character.
See more of Pollock’s work here.
In The Home of a Winter Soldier by Michael Angee
In this project, Angee follows Scott Camil, a Vietnam War veteran and prominent anti-war activist. Camil became a figurehead in the anti-war movement after his tour in Vietnam.
The images showcase the humble life of a man who dedicated his life to a movement 20 years after his retirement as an activist. The intimate nature of these images displays Camil’s personable nature and storied past.
Follow Angee on Instagram here.
Want You by Tavia Christina
Tavia is a Toronto-based director and choreographer creating work across film and live performance. Their film Want You explores the story of two characters, conveying emotion through contemporary dance and performance.
The film uses various environments and scenes to build a narrative between the characters, following intimate moments throughout their relationship.
Explore more of Tavia’s work here and their studio, Near & Far Projects.
Thank you to every artist who submitted work for this month’s edition.
Submissions for September’s edition are now open.
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