Interview with Berenice Riu from Spain

Interview with Petra Franssen from Belgium 
June 15, 2023
Interview with Tiange Wang from United States
June 15, 2023

Berenice Riu

Berenice is a conceptual artist and art director who has won the Platinum Award at the MUSE Photography Awards with her photographic series called Gender Roars.


Interview With The 2023 MUSE Photography Awards Winner – Berenice Riu

1The first thing that strikes us about this series is that it is both socially aware and cheerful at the same time. Do you consider this to be something characteristic of your work?
Almost all my works have a conceptual weight. I like them to have something to tell beyond the aesthetics. I use the image as a form of expression, so I try to make my pieces reflect my personal style to a certain degree. That's why they move in cheerful palettes and fun images, it's the tone with which I most identify. Even when it has some political or activist content, as is the case, they carry a certain dose of humor.
2This particular series has visual references to the 50's/60's, why is that?
It was an era with markedly sexist advertising, so it's fun to reappropriate that iconography and turn it around.
3Why is the series called Gender Roars?
It's a word play between Gender rules and the word roar which I think has a lot of power and another fun way to talk about gender reclamation.
4What is the process to create these pieces?
After the conceptualization phase where I basically write down ideas and sketches on paper, the handmade manufacturing process begins. That includes painting backgrounds and making, buying or modifying all the elements to be photographed. Once the still life composition, lighting, etc. is done, the photograph is taken. In the case of this particular series, there is also lettering/typography work. Sometimes I print the graphic pieces and then photograph them, but in the specific case of this series they are totally integrated in post-production.
5Do you think this is one of the differentiating factors of your work?
Yes, having a background as a designer and art director, I am skilled with typography and image editing. This, together with the work of constructing the images prior to shooting the photo itself, makes my work a set of stages. That's why I don't consider myself a photographer, although some people call me one, I find a broader term like visual artist more accurate.
6Congratulations again on winning The Muse Photography Awards 2023! Do you have any advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
To find their own style. Copying others can help you learn or explore, but you’ll only be one with your work when you find your own voice.

Winning Entry

Gender Roars | 2023

MPA-berenice-riu-gender-roars
The title of this series plays with gender rules, even from the phonetic point of view: gender rules / gender roles. …
(Read more at MUSE Photography Awards)


Berenice Riu

Berenice is a conceptual artist and art director who has won the Platinum Award at the MUSE Photography Awards with her photographic series called Gender Roars.


Check out Berenice Riu's interview for the 2022 European Photography Awards here!

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