Norberto con Trombón. Photo Collage, 1996

Celso Castro  

Norberto con Trombón 1, 1996 by Celso José Castro Daza

From The series Guerreros. One-of-a-kind Photo collage

Sheet Size: 27.5 in. H x 19.5 in. W Unframed. Signed, titled and dated by the artist

The root of these unique photographic works by the artist Celso Castro occurred when the artist returned from Italy to live back in Colombia in 1987.

Castro wanted to produce from the photographs he took with his camera larger versions of those pieces, but having only registered his models with a single photograph it was impossible to achieve, given this need he adopts the language of fractionation completing the message he wants to transmit through his work.

Castro perfected his technique throughout the years, now on he takes a number of photographs of his subject, which are then assembled to conform a unique photo collage without distortion of the main image, gluing all the images on a single sheet of archival paper, the final work consisted of the perfect graduation of many photographs to achieve his monumental man.

This artwork masterfully combines a series of photographic fragments to create a compelling figure of a man holding a trombone. The deliberate composition features multiple images overlapped, adding depth and a sense of deconstruction that challenges perception. Each fragment captures different angles and shades, producing a dynamic visual rhythm that draws the viewer in. The subject’s confident stance and the trombone add a layer of symbolism, perhaps alluding to themes of music and identity. The use of warm hues creates a striking contrast against the plain white background, emphasizing the assembled figure. This piece offers a unique exploration of form and narrative, inviting contemplation on the cohesion and fragmentation of identity.