Francisco Castilla, Lotero. Photo Collage, 1996

Celso Castro  

Francisco Castilla, Lotero 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. 1996

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 is a dynamic photographic collage capturing a man in a pink and black striped shirt, red cap, and blue pants, intriguingly fragmented into several sections. The subject stands on a checkered floor, with pants noticeably lowered, introducing a provocative element. The collage technique creates a layered effect, providing a multidimensional view that challenges traditional portraiture. Each piece is carefully aligned yet shifted, invoking a sense of motion and disarray. The vibrant colors—a rich yellow background and contrasting clothing—enhance the visual impact. The man holds a bag and a newspaper, suggesting narrative possibilities and everyday realism. The deliberate presentation, juxtaposing normalcy with the unexpected, invites viewers to explore themes of vulnerability, identity, and the human experience. This piece is a bold statement, marrying surrealism with a raw portrayal of humanity.