Marco Sanges’ black and white photography is influenced by the sequential nature of cinema, in particular the luminous black and white films of the silent era. His photographs are created in sequence, with each photograph depicting a unique, multi-layered story to create a highly personal, imaginary cinema. His scenes are full of larger than life characters and lavish costumes, reminiscent of Surrealism and the Visual and Performing Arts of the 1920s and 30s.

The surreal nature of his work represents the liberation of the unconscious, as a means to create art outside the boundaries of official culture; the rejection of established values and a concrete effort to illustrate extreme mental states, unconventional ideas, or elaborate fantasy worlds, all elements typical of Outside Art. There is also an enchanting, yet dark side to his work, an intriguing depth that appears to be destined to highlight the drama of life and capture the sincerity of the journey.

Phantasmagoria brings together a retrospective of Sanges’ most surreal and dreamlike photography, large scale prints, a unique site-specific installation alongside collaborations with commercial clients such as Agent Provocateur. Full of sexuality, voyeurism and danger, these vivid photographs create an enchanting world which provokes, astounds and delights.

Phantasmagoria: Photographs by Marco Sanges, 26th July – 30th September, Proud Camden, The Horse Hospital, Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8AH. www.proud.co.uk

Credits:
1. Downtown (1999)
2. Homage Balthus (2001)
3. Reveries 30 (1999)
4. The Letter (2001)
All images courtesy the artist