Leila Forés
TIFA 2021 Interview with Leila Forés
1st Place winner in Fine Art, Non-Professional, “I’m sorry”
Q: Tell us a bit about your background? How did you discover your love for photography?
I was born in the 70´s in Spain.A school workshop made me discover the magic of the darkroom and made me decide pursuing Higher Studies on Image and Photography. After my studies,I fail to live on photography and that produced a rejection towards it lasting 15 years.In 2012 my curiosity for the digital photography led me to retake it. It’s there when I discover a new expression line and develop a personal style.
I have participated in numerous collective and individual exhibitions and I have won several awards in international competitions. Participating in international photography calls has allowed me to discover other artists, interact with photographers from different countries. There is a lot of talent and it is very inspiring to be able to attend the exhibitions anywhere in the world.I find the energy to keep working and try to improve myself.
Q: What was your last work and how did the initial spark of inspiration come about?
My latest work is a continuity of my intimate world. My higher volume work I develop it through my image to express feelings surrounding my day today.
My inspiration comes from experiences, sensations, feelings of my own. Also comes from music and painting.
Q: You were awarded TIFA 2021 Non-Professional Fine Art Photographer of the Year for your powerful, but also sorrowful image, I’m Sorry. Can you tell us a bit more about the story of this image?
When I´m in front of the camera I surrender my feelings, the photography help me to take refuge in a parallel and creative world to free my fears and anguishes.
What a do not share verbally with anyone is what my body asks me to express with my image. Loneliness and sadness.
Q: When it comes to fine art photography, what kind of images do you enjoy taking most?
I like to work with my body because I feel the need to express myself, as well, I need to change because it’s exhausting for me to work with emotions. I like to photograph faces, the looks, take great care of the compositions.
I started a photographic ballet work, which takes shape over time, and which serves as a respite and I enjoy it very much
Q: What does winning this award mean to you?
It is a dream for me!!!!
Happy to share my work with new audience as Tokyo. I’m grateful for the appreciation and support of my vision.
Q: What would be your dream project in photography if there would be no budget limits and you
could travel anywhere, photograph anything/anyone?
If it could be possible, I would like to look for circus companies, accompany them on their trips to be able to photograph their day to day, some with ballet companies. Another topic that catches my attention is the Jewish community in Jerusalem.
Q: Which professional photographers have inspired you most?
I admire many photographers, especially the work of Sarah Moon, Graciela Iturbide, Alberto García Alix, Francesca Woodman, Daido Moriyama, Adriana Lestido, Robert Frank, Diane Arbus…
Q: Are you working on something new right now? Can you tell us a little bit about it?
I am not working on anything new right now. My photograph today are a continuity of my internal work on emotional level.
