Hi there, I'm Valentina, a trained analog / digital photographer and mixed media practitioner and accept commissions for editorial, portraiture and urban- / landscape work. My conceptual photographic / mixed media projects explore themes of diverse identity, culture and heritage conservation. So far I have been exhibited in London, Berlin, Belfast, Derry, Boston, Sofia and Bristol. I also have experience shooting behind the scenes on set of short films / music videos and have documented many commercial events in London as well as Berlin.
I grew up in Virginia in the U.S., as well as in the scenic Rhine Valley have lived in Berlin for a decade. I identify as German, Irish, British and American. I am proud of my mixed heritage background, but have equally experienced abundance and displacement. If it suits the project, I use photography as a universal language tool to learn and share identity perceptions of others, which has led to many meaningful connections and engaging dialogues in communities over the years.
I achieved a one year Foundation Diploma in Graphic Design at the London College of Communications (University of the Arts London), followed by a Bachelor Honours in Photographic Arts at the University of Westminster (London) and hold an Masters of the Arts in Photography from University of the West of England (Bristol) graduating with a distinction. My MA project uses Goethe's colour theory as a basis for examining the historic textile trade with Woad blue pigment in Frome (in Somerset, England). Natural dyeing and weaving by hand with wool is experiencing a contemporary revival. It is a heritage craft, simultaneously sustaining tradition, while pushing boundaries through experimentation with material production for fashion and creative expression in fibre arts.
I am seeking a British poet to collaborate with for accompanying text. The series titled Blue Gold was shortlisted for the Royal Photographic Society's MA Bursary Prize in 2024. Both limestone lithography prints: 'Tricolour Woad Dye Transition' & 'Blue Mannequin Fader' are available to purchase as an edition of 10 handmade artist proofs.
Thanks for visiting and feel free to get in touch for bookings or collaborations locally or abroad ✨