Olivier Valsecchi was born in Paris in 1979. His work has been published and exhibited around Europe, the US, and Asia. After winning a Hasselblad Masters award for his stunning portrait series Dust, he created Klecksography in 2012.
His new Drifting series is a journey through art history where each picture merges the tradition of the reclining nude with the still life painting genre from Flanders. Olivier Valsecchi is represented by Opiom Gallery.
– How did you get into photography?
It’s always been there. I used to make creative selfportraits when I was a teenager, and take pictures of my friends. Only I hadn’t seen it until the age of 27, when I entered a photographic school to improve my technique. There I understood what it was to be a photographer, and that it was what I really to wanted to be.
– Where do you get your creative inspiration from?
As an art lover, I can say that Jacques-Louis David had an influence on my work. Caravaggio, Dali, Bacon as well. Not so much photographers, although I am a great fan of Jeff Bark, Robert Mapplethorpe, Erwin Olaf and more recently Tim Walker. Inspiration comes from everywhere, it’s a mix of things you see and hear, and then your brain processes it through the lens of who you are.
– What is it about nude photography that interest you the most?
Skin is the best clothes we wear. It’s universal and timeless. Take a look at the first nudes in the photography history and you’ll still be moved the same way people used to be when the picture was taken. The emotion walks through the ages. Clothes have changed, we haven’t.
– How do you find the models to work on your projects?
Mainly on facebook or casting calls if I am looking for a very specific type of model. Models are everywhere around us. It depends on the project you want to achieve and the emotion you’re looking for.
– What do you do besides photography?
Photography is 90% of my time and life. The 10% left is music, TV shows, movies, and traveling. I do enjoy lying on the beach doing nothing.
– What is your favourite photography book?
It’s not out there yet. And it will be Jeff Bark’s book. I’m in love with his whole oeuvre.
– What are your future plans with photography?
I’m working on two new series that I hope will be both ready in September. I’m still working on my first book and it’s a long way because I have a vision for it that I want to respect. I will be exhibiting my last series ‘Drifting’ by the end of the year in Cannes.
Website: www.oliviervalsecchi.com
