O. Portrait intervened by the artists., 2022

Cristian Hunter   Emerging artists

From the series Opposed Tendencies Acrylic and oil wax on fine art paper 255 grs.

This artwork was created by the artistic duo Hunter & Gatti (2010–2023). These works are part of the archive managed and exhibited by Cristian Hunter. The artist's technique consists of the use of two prints, the first print is the original photography, and the second print is a blurry version of the image printed on glass. The glass version of the picture is shattered with an iron tool to be able to control the rupture. The artists glued the glass parts on top of the original picture, creating a blurred effect. The artists explore even further the infinite possibilities of transformation by turning something as temporary as a fashion editorial, into something completely different and original; a unique piece of art.  

Cristian Hunter’s work starts from that belief. His photographs —created over a solid international career— are not mere documents, but open territories where painting, texture, and gesture expand photography into new dimensions of meaning. Hunter explores how an image can shift in meaning over time—how context, memory, and manual intervention can transform what was once captured into something newly revealed. Each piece is an invitation to look again, to uncover what lies beneath the visible. Guided by the premise that “nothing stays still,” he works from his personal archive, reinterpreting it, giving new life to what was once lived, and breaking the linear flow between past and present. His lens has captured renowned figures such as Pharrell Williams, Penélope Cruz, Jennifer Lopez, Ewan McGregor, Lalisa Manoban, Adria Arjona, and Bruno Mars, among many others. Yet his focus goes beyond portraiture—what truly interests him is what remains when the image stops being literal and begins to emerge as a living object. His current body of work includes both new pieces and selected artworks from the artistic legacy of Hunter & Gatti, which he now manages. These are duly credited as “ created by Hunter & Gatti,” presented alongside his personal practice and establishing a dialogue between history, transformation, and contemporary gaze. His work has been exhibited in cities such as Barcelona, New York, and Miami, and reflects a visual practice grounded in experience, exploration, and ongoing evolution. 

This striking artwork features a close-up of a face with intense focus on the eyes, surrounded by abstract textures resembling crystalline formations or ice. A dramatic vertical tear runs down the center of the image, creating a visceral sense of division or fragmentation. The monochromatic palette, with subtle hints of icy blue, emphasizes the stark contrast between the smooth surface of the skin and the jagged, organic contours of the crystalline texture. This composition invites reflection on themes of identity, vulnerability, and transformation. The bold interplay of smooth and rough textures, along with the central tear, evokes a powerful emotional response, drawing viewers into a contemplative dialogue about the nature of self and the impact of external forces. The artwork's bold and innovative approach challenges traditional portraiture, inviting a deeper exploration of the human condition.