The Visionary Lens of Pablo González

By Anna Gilchrist | Photography by Pablo González

In the vibrant New York City art scene, Colombian artist Pablo González has established himself as a visionary in contemporary photography. As the photography art director for luxury fashion and lifestyle brand Chrome Hearts, Pablo’s artistic expression stands out through his image-making. However, his creative scope extends well beyond photography, encompassing art direction, graphic design, and audiovisual works.

Pablo’s journey, a reflection of his various passions, has directly shaped his multifaceted career. He juggled multiple creative disciplines throughout his college years, from assisting artist Amalia Ulman to pursuing graphic design, establishing a strong foundation in the arts at an early age. His vision caught the eye of renowned publications and brands, leading to collaborations with global brands, including L’Officiel, Vogue, GQ, Home in Heaven, Knitwrth, and Orlebar Brown. Each piece of Pablo’s journey is a reflection of the technical mastery and passion behind his works as he continuously pushes the boundaries of artistic expression.

Pablo’s passion for photography sparked during an art class his freshman year of high school. He quickly became captivated by the process of darkroom printing in black and white, recalling the meditative allure of the process. It was a pivotal moment that ignited his dedication to the medium and desire to express himself through visual storytelling.

He also finds a unique muse in ambient music, crediting it as a driving force of inspiration in his works. His exploration of the audio genre began in 2020 and continues to shape his artistic endeavors today. “It was honestly the thing that inspired me to create sound, which is interesting because photo work doesn’t always necessarily have to deal with sound,” Pablo shares. “Music is a huge moment where I can just let myself be carried away by the sounds.”

French ambient musician Malibu has inspired Pablo’s work since 2021, emphasizing her unique visuals and sound. He also highlights the influence of Café del Mar, the iconic bar in Ibiza regarded as the birthplace of chill house and ambient music, and José Padilla, the pioneering resident DJ at Café del Mar, renowned for his infamous Balearic sound. Growing up along the coastal landscape of Florida, Pablo—now in his mid-twenties—also carries an essence of the beach and the beauty of nature in his creations.

Pablo’s ability to navigate across multiple types of media pushes him to think in new ways, exploring his work both artistically and analytically. “With graphic design, it’s about the layout of the page and making sure there are no orphans and widows, and with audiovisual work, it’s about how we’re going to project, how it’s going to sound, or if there’s going to be clipping with the audio,” he explains, demonstrating the intertwining of his multidisciplinary lens.

Over the years, Pablo’s photography style has evolved, ranging from bold and colorful expressions to more introspective concepts. He embraces his creative evolution, emphasizing his place as a student in the world of photography and non-conformity to a specific style.

“My photography style ebbs and flows, but a lot of my work is honestly very diverse,” he says. “I wouldn’t say I have one specific style, and I’m happy about that because I feel like a lot of people who develop a particular style get boxed into that style early on. They eventually get into a routine of just doing what they’re comfortable with and known for.”

Some of Pablo’s proudest projects trace back to his early career, the genesis of his creative path. He fondly recalls an audiovisual piece he created for the Natural History Museum of LA. Following COVID, displaying this piece showed him that there is a space to showcase his visuals to the world, as well as his sound. Additionally, he cherishes a school project born during the COVID pandemic, reflecting a moment of intense heartbreak, where he uses his art as a therapeutic remedy. He continues to reflect on these significant pieces in his current work.

Additionally, Pablo credits collaboration as an integral part of his creative process. “I’m really proud of the work that I do with my friends Frankie, Christian, and Anya. It’s all these people and creatives in my community that truly inspire me, and I always love collaborating and working with people.”

For Pablo, success is not merely a personal milestone but a shared journey. Taking a page from the book of Amy Winehouse, he explains, “I was watching her documentary, and she was asked what success means to her, and she said success is being able to work with whoever you want. I think that’s the definition of success and my ultimate dream.”

As he continues shaping his narrative within the realm of the arts, Pablo invites his audience to rethink the interplay of sound and image, pushing the boundary of creativity in contemporary art.

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Follow @pablogonzez on Instagram to explore his work.