Interview with Francisco Fresneda

Can you tell us about your background as an artist? How did you become interested in art?

I studied Graphic Design and completed a Master's in Digital Business (ISDI). I also trained in photography at PhotoEspana, Madrid. My work in marketing and the creative industries played a key role in developing my visual language. For me, photography is both therapy and personal exploration - a space where identity, memory and presence coexist.

Your artwork in Nostalgia is titled “Timelines.” Can you tell us more about this piece?

Several rays of light cross a young woman's gaze. She is not looking outwards, but inwards. I'm interested in that ambiguous space between what is visible and what is only barely sensed. The light doesn't illuminate; instead, it seems to cut time into fragments, as if memory were appearing through the body. The piece invites a pause, a kind of suspension. It's not about telling a story - it's about dwelling in a feeling that can't be fully named.

How do you navigate creative blocks or challenges in your artistic practice?

When I feel blocked, I return to the senses: I observe my surroundings, take a walk, draw, or write without judgement - simply to reconnect with the present. Photography is a refuge and a tool for self-exploration, never a demand.

What mediums do you primarily work with, and why? Do you have a favorite medium or technique?

I work in both digital and analogue formats, combining photography, image and text. I'm drawn to intimacy and emotion. I don't have a favourite medium - each project tells me which form best conveys its atmosphere. What matters most to me is honesty, and the emotional connection between medium and message.

How do you see your art evolving in the future? Are there any new techniques or ideas that you’re excited to explore?

I'm excited about working in a more experiential and immersive way - exploring sound, movement, and collaborative or sensory storytelling. I imagine creating spaces where the viewer is not just a passive observer, but an active participant in the emotional landscape. I'll soon be sharing both new and earlier works on my website: www.franciscofresneda.com

What do you hope viewers take away from your art? Are there any messages or emotions you aim to convey?

I aim to awaken a contemplative state. When someone looks at Timelines or any of my pieces, I hope they feel something within their own subjective experience - nostalgia, memory, or a meeting with something hidden inside. More than delivering a clear message, I want to encourage quiet inner listening.

What influences or sources of inspiration inform your artistic practice?

I'm inspired by philosophy, phenomenological and Gestalt psychology, poetry, and conceptual photography (such as Woodman, Shiota, Calle). I'm also drawn to the everyday - gestures, bodies, objects with memory - that speak quietly to our invisible histories.

What are you currently working on, and what projects or exhibitions do you have planned for the future?

I'm currently developing a series that explores the body as a container of non-verbal memories. Alongside that, I'm working on a hybrid project where art becomes a space for learning and self-awareness. I want to create immersive exhibitions that bring together image, text and presence.

Finally, what advice would you offer to aspiring artists who are just starting their creative journey?

Give yourself permission to follow your own rhythm. Don't confuse visibility with authenticity. Approach art from vulnerability, not from a need for validation. Your emotion and your experience are your creative core, even if they don't fit the standard mould.

Francisco’s Website

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