"Zeitz" Photograph - Limited Edition of 20

Mario Tarantino is a contemporary fine art photographer whose work is defined by minimalist compositions, bold contrasts, and an evocative use of negative space. Born in South Africa to an Italian father and a French mother and now based in the Canary Islands, Spain, his cosmopolitan background subtly informs a visual language that transcends specific eras or trends as well as connecting with viewers across different ethnicities and generations. 

His photographic practice is driven by a relentless pursuit of the surreal. Through carefully considered compositions and restrained palettes - predominantly monochromatic, Mario transforms the everyday and the overlooked into the marvellous. His images offer moments of aesthetic escapism, inviting the viewer to pause, reflect, and linger within carefully constructed visual narratives.

Working predominantly in low-light conditions, he harnesses soft, diffused illumination to create imagery imbued with a quiet tension and a futuristic atmosphere that has become central to his signature style. A deep fascination with the interplay of light and shadow, texture, tone, and form runs through every body of work, revealing a profound commitment to aesthetic photography as both craft and expression.

Largely self-taught, Mario built upon a foundational camera course at the Berlin School of Photography, developing a personal approach that prioritises intuition, atmosphere, and conceptual clarity. His artistic influences include photographers such as Berenice Abbott, Hiroshi Sugimoto, and Lucien Hervé, alongside a lasting admiration for the surrealists - particularly the work of Giorgio de Chirico - which continues to serve as a deep well of inspiration.

His work has been exhibited internationally in cities including Tokyo, Budapest, Glasgow, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and Athens. His pieces are held in both private and corporate collections worldwide.

Recipient of multiple international photography awards, including several Photographer of the Year distinctions, Mario’s work resonates with collectors who seek not only technical excellence, but images that suggest, evoke, and endure.

Using the camera much as a painter uses a brush, Mario Tarantino creates images that articulate an inner vision - each photograph an invitation into his singular sense of beauty.