Interview: Salem McBunny
Luca Curci talks with Salem McBunny during the 11th Edition of LONDON CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR, at ELEMENTS Contemporary Art Space.

Salem McBunny has a degree in communication sciences and began his career as a self-taught photographer. His photography seeks to transmit poetry and magic that envelops the viewer in an atmosphere of fantasy and reality. I gave conferences and workshops on artistic photography. Her work has been published in magazines such as Dark Beauty, Moevir, LeDÉSIR, and Beautiful Bizarre magazine among others. Winner of the fashion category of the Master Class Awards 2018. Winner of Click with México 5, top 4 of the live portrait awards in the personal work category, judge of the 35 awards of 2019, Photographer of the Year at the Cosmos Awards 2021, photographer of the Year of Mexico at the One Eyeland Awards, Winner of FFIEL 2021, Winner of second place in the Fineart Nude category, gold winner at the MIFA Awards. His work was exhibited in countries such as Mexico, Budapest, Paris and Milan.

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Salem McBunny – Art, for me, is the whisper of the soul on the canvas of existence. It is the invisible dance of emotions that slide between the fingers, transforming the ephemeral into the eternal. It is the symphony of colors that sings untold stories, the murmur of shadows and lights that reveal the invisible. Art is my refuge, where time stops and the spirit finds freedom. It is the silent language of my dreams, the mirror of my deepest thoughts. Every stroke, every note, every word is a spark of my essence, a fragment of my being that lives beyond me. In art, I find peace and chaos, clarity and confusion. It is a journey without a fixed destination, a map without borders where I explore the confines of my imagination. It is the purest expression of my humanity, a constant reminder that I am, was and will be. Thus, art for me is life, it is passion, and it is the constant beat of my creative heart. It is the echo of my existence, resonating in every work I create, and in every vision I share.

LC – What are you currently working on?
SMcB – Currently, I am immersed in the creation of my second book, a poetic tribute to the strength and grace of my grandmother and all the women who, like lighthouses, illuminate my path. Every word I express is a sigh of admiration, a reverence to the ancestral wisdom that flows in their veins.

This book is a tapestry woven with threads of memories and dreams, where the stories of brave women are intertwined with my grandmother’s legacy. It is a hymn to her resilience, her ability to love without limits and to fight with unwavering determination.

LC – Are your artworks focused on a specific theme?
SMcB – My photographs are focused on magic and emotions. Each image is an attempt to capture the ethereal, the intangible that hides in the corners of the soul. I seek to capture that fleeting moment where magic and emotion intertwine, creating a parallel universe in each photograph.

Through my lens, I try to reveal what a simple glance remains hidden, revealing the poetry hidden in the everyday. My photographs are windows to invisible worlds, where feelings become colors and emotions become shapes. It is a visual journey to the heart of the unexplored, a constant search for the beauty that resides in the depths of our being.

LC – According to you, what makes a good photo? Which details do you focus on?
SMcB – For me, a good photo focuses on the soul of each image, and that is what makes the difference. Beyond technique and composition, it seeks to capture the essence, the spirit that gives life to each moment.

When I photograph, I try to connect deeply with the subject, with the scene, letting their stories reveal themselves through my lens. It is in that intimate connection where I find the magic, where emotions are stripped bare and the true character of the image emerges. Each photograph is a mirror of the soul, a reflection of the authenticity that makes an image resonate and endure.

LC – When you take photos, are you usually inspired by the situation or do you find inspiration in yourself?
SMcB – Inspiration, for me, is a constant whisper that I find in any corner of the world and in the souls of those who pose for me. No matter where I am, each place has its magic, each landscape its history, each moment its poetry.

The people who stand in front of my lens are my muses, each one with their inner universe, each look a poem, each gesture a narrative. They reveal to me the hidden beauty in everyday life, the art that resides in the simple. Through them, discover new dimensions of reality, new ways of seeing and feeling.

LC – How important is the editing process in your work? How’s yours?
SMcB – Editing in my photography is of utmost importance, a touch that enriches and complements what I do. Each photograph is its own universe, and editing allows us to enhance its uniqueness, highlighting nuances and emotions that can sometimes go unnoticed.

For me, editing is not a mere technical adjustment, but a creative process that gives new life to the image. In each photograph, look for something different, a detail, an emotion, an atmosphere that can stand out. Editing is an extension of my artistic vision, a tool that allows me to give each image its unique character and its own voice.

LC – How important is the editing process in your work? How’s yours?
SMcB – Editing in my photography is of utmost importance, a touch that enriches and complements what I do. Each photograph is its own universe, and editing allows us to enhance its uniqueness, highlighting nuances and emotions that can sometimes go unnoticed.

For me, editing is not a mere technical adjustment, but a creative process that gives new life to the image. In each photograph, look for something different, a detail, an emotion, an atmosphere that can stand out. Editing is an extension of my artistic vision, a tool that allows me to give each image its unique character and its own voice.

LC – In which way the artwork presented in our exhibition is connected with the exhibition’s theme?
SMcB – The artwork I have presented in our exhibition is deeply connected with the theme by capturing the essence of human emotions and the magic found in everyday moments. Each piece is a reflection of the soul, revealing the beauty and depth of the human experience. Through my lens, I aim to showcase the invisible threads that bind us all, highlighting the shared emotions and stories that resonate universally. This connection between the intimate and the universal is at the heart of both my work and the exhibition’s theme, creating a harmonious and evocative narrative.

LC – Can you explain something about the artworks you have in our exhibition?
SMcB – Certainly. The artworks I have in our exhibition are a journey through the magic and emotions that permeate our lives. Each photograph is a glimpse into the soul of its subject, capturing moments of raw, unfiltered emotion.

I find inspiration in the people I photograph and the places I encounter, aiming to reveal the hidden beauty and stories within them. The editing process is crucial for me, as it allows me to bring out the unique character and essence of each image. Through this, I strive to create pieces that resonate deeply with viewers, evoking a sense of wonder and connection.

LC – What are your suggestions about our services? Is there something more we can provide to artists?SMcB – Really at this moment I feel very happy with what they offer!

LC – What is your idea about ITSLIQUID GROUP?
SMcB – That you can make my work travel the world.