Over the course of the last decade, Zissou has gained acclaim for his candid environmental portraiture, nature and documentary photography and has developed a distinctive visual vocabulary using his camera to capture both the natural world and an intimate framing of humanity. In his work, the interplay of chance, available light and contingent moments is balanced by a highly considered approach to composition lending a poetic resonance to the images he creates.
Zissou’s choice of subject matter reflects his long-standing interests and mode of living. Having previously resided only in cities - London, Melbourne, Madrid and San Francisco - since 2010, Zissou has been based in Bali, Indonesia where he has become an advocate for regenerative living, basing himself in a tropical forest in an open-air bamboo home that he designed, helped build and maintains to this day. This path has enabled him to pursue a harmony with nature and a connection to his community which continues to inform his practice.
Prior to his current bodies of work in photography, Zissou’s creative outlets included painting, sculpture and the use of a plethora of digital tools across an array of creative fields, however, his earliest exposure to the world of photography came at a formative age through his father, a renowned photojournalist, and his uncle, a famed sports photographer.
“I grew up surrounded by cameras, darkrooms and incredible black & white photography but it's like the nice restaurant in your neighbourhood, you never think to try until you move out of that area.” he explains
“Moving to the tropics forced my hand. I was surrounded by natural beauty, glorious light, a genuine community and a strong culture. I was bearing witness to so many profound moments that I felt compelled to document them with the tool that felt most comfortable, most immediate, most resonant... the camera.”
Recent Exhibitions
- Tropism, Solo Show at Sound Vision Library, Bali (Dec. 2022 - Feb. 2023)
- Pesona, Group Show at Titik Dua, Bali (Aug. 2023)
Publications
Acne Paper, Vogue Japan, Teen Vogue (US), The Daily Telegraph, Ignant, Acclaim Magazine, Emocean Magazine, Agobay, National Geographic.
Bali's renown over the years has been born from its extraordinary nature and the powerful, persistent culture and tradition of its people. This, however, is all under threat in recent times with huge investment in tourism and the destruction of pristine natural areas for development. There is an urgent need to re-think this mindset and focus on growing a future that respects the Balinese people, their culture and this magical land.
The exhibition will take place in a prestigious venue in Lisbon, marking Zissou’s first solo show in Europe. It will feature a selection of his medium to large, black-and-white photographs from his extensive archive.
The opening night will include a special event showcasing Bali’s unique traditions and rituals, aiming to inspire and expand the audience’s awareness of this unique island.
Laura Primerano - Curator, Creative Producer
Laura has nearly twenty years of experience as an Executive Producer in both art and fashion industries. She blends creativity with practicality, sharing educational content, uncomfortable beauty, and nurturing food for the eyes and souls.
Since 2013 Laura has been the production manager and assistant curator for some of the most renowned art galleries and institutions in the Middle East, including The Third Line Gallery, Art Dubai and Abu Dhabi art fairs as well as a trusted artist liaison for some of the main artists working in the region. Laura has been involved in the organisation of prestigious luxury events and fashion shows in Paris and Milan fashion weeks and fashion photo campaigns, working with prominent photographers, since 2006.
Roberta Ristow - Communication, Marketing and Public Relations
Communication expert and art consultant, Roberta specialised in Art Management at Sotheby’s Institute of Art and studied Digital Marketing Strategy at the London College of Communication/UAL in London, where she lived for two years.
Since the end of 2019 she is based in Lisbon from where she develops art projects and initiatives in Europe and Brazil, with communication related activities such as content creation, education, strategic communication and public relations; commercial activities as an art consultant for collectors and helping the development of exhibitions, artists and galleries.
Since 2020, Roberta has worked as public relations for the Drawing Room Art Fair in Lisbon and as Institutional Director for Casa da Escada Colorida, an independent art space focused on emerging artists in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Furthermore, Roberta has been contributing as an art and lifestyle writer for Vogue Brazil for the past seven years.Previously, for nine years, Roberta was responsible for the Branded Content area at Editora Globo/Grupo Globo, in São Paulo. While working there, she developed cross-platform content projects for over 35 clients, including Unilever, EY, GE and FIAT, in addition to partnerships with TV Globo and Globo Condé Nast. Furthermore, Roberta lived in Spain (2006/2007), where she obtained a Master’s in Media Management at the Universidad de Navarra and worked at ELLE/Hachette Filipacchi Médias, in Madrid. In addition, she did a MBA at FIA/USP Universidade de São Paulo (2011/2013).
O APARTAMENTO - Strategic Communication and Public Relations
As a boutique agency with 18 years of experience formed by a multifaceted team, O APARTAMENTO keeps one eye on what is going on today and another on the future. With an in-depth knowledge of the market and current trends that enables them to provide a fresh and innovative approach, and propose tailor-made strategies designed to suit each client.
O APARTAMENTO approaches communication not just from a national perspective but with a major focus on the international market, in both cases carefully nurturing our contacts to ensure we maintain very close relationships. An agency dedicated to art, hospitality, travel, food, wine, design, architecture and interior design that focuses heavily on the luxury segment, their portfolio includes a huge number of unique and standout projects as well as institutional clients.