Arts

Composition and the use of space with Yosigo

by Elisa Routa

 

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My style is mainly made of a very thoughtful aesthetics regarding colors and shapes. I see it as an inheritance from my academic background as a graphic designer.

 

As a kid, artist Jose Javier dreamt of becoming a famous professional football player. Born in Donostia (San Sebastian) in the Spanish Basque Country, Jose, known as Yosigo, was in love with the local Real Sociedad Football Team. Today, despite the boredom of the endless hours spent in front of a screen, Yosigo became one of Spain’s most interesting photographers. « I started in the world of photography by chance, » he confesses. «  My style is mainly made of a very thoughtful aesthetics regarding colors and shapes. Of course, I see it as an inheritance from my academic background as a graphic designer. »

 

When he’s asked to describe his creative identity and signature both as a graphic designer and photographer, Yosigo puts it simple. « I like very clean and well-composed images. » Composition and the use of space seem to be at the heart of the his work. « It's simply something that comes naturally. »

 

 

Umbrellas, beach chairs, swimmers, buoys, towels and crowded beaches looking like small dots in the sand… Through soft pastel colors, Yosigo’s beach-related visuals look like David Hockney’s serial paintings of swimming pools. Gaining height, the basque photographer reminds us that the ocean and the sea have always been a central element in his life. «Seeing the horizon deeply calms me down. It's like being at home even when I’m away.»

 

Combining his personal work with professional missions, Yosigo can be somehow defined as obsessed with symmetry. « My favorite photographer and my most inspirational artist is Stephen Shore. » Renowned for his banal shots of the american ordinary scenes of everyday life, Shore displays an immersive photography. As does the Spanish artist.

 

Now based in Barcelona, Yosigo shares his studio with artists, graphic designers and like-minded photographers. « I love my studio and the people I share it with. We renovated it recently and today, the studio looks super white, there is plenty of light, and it is full of plants. And it's almost always messy » he says. « I am surrounded by creative people and they represent a great influence on my work today. »

 

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Follow Yosigo's work on his website.

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