Haze Gallery in Berlin, Germany, announced it will be representing Xiomaro, an artist known for his National Park photography. His images of Morristown National Historical Park were the subject of a PBS episode and exhibition at Morris Museum. The gallery will be showcasing the artist’s work to collectors worldwide. The former lawyer turned to photography after overcoming prostate cancer.
Xiomaro’s street photography is as documentary as his National Park work. But his candid images of urban life have an abstract and surreal quality that captures Manhattan’s chaos and energy. The unusual results are achieved by photographing the reflective surfaces of store windows, office buildings, vehicles, and bus shelters. “I wanted to document how things feel – not just how they look – for preservation as future history,” explains the artist.
The layers of symbols, colors, and distortions can be interpreted in many ways. For Xiomaro, the themes are as abstract as the photographs. “There are portraits with dreamy images floating above the heads like thought bubbles. It’s as if they are wondering about their place in the world.”
Xiomaro’s unconventional approach caught the gallery’s attention. “I was looking for photographers with unique narratives and bold perspectives,” said Irina Rusinovich, CEO and curator of Haze Gallery. The gallery, founded in 2019, represents emerging and established international artists in photography, painting, and sculpture. It is strategically located near Berlin’s prestigious Kurfürstendamm, a famous shopping boulevard akin to the Champs-Élysées in Paris. In addition to the gallery, Rusinovich is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Purple Haze magazine. The 10-year-old publication focuses on art and culture.
Interestingly, the careers of both Xiomaro and Rusinovich have been shaped by health crises. After overcoming prostate cancer in 2005, Xiomaro transitioned out of a career as an entertainment lawyer representing recording artists. Experimenting with photography eventually led to commissions from the National Park Service. The experience compelled the artist to adopt his pseudonym – “Xiomaro” (pronounced “SEE-oh-MAH-ro”) – which literally means “ready for battle.” In 2016, Rusinovich was diagnosed with breast cancer prompting a move from her native Russia to Berlin for chemotherapy. After her recovery, she remained in Germany permanently and started her gallery and magazine.
Rusinovich has a passion for art, which she believes “should be accessible to all, regardless of background or prior knowledge. My goal is to demystify art, make it approachable, and spark conversations.” Xiomaro shares her philosophy. His book, Street Photography of New York City – Street Haunting in the Big Apple, will be published by Fonthill Media this year. In it, he reveals the backstory of his photography and its connection to history, psychology, and politics.
(LEFT) Xiomaro (RIGHT) Irina Rusinovich
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