Born in Malaga in 1988, Jaime Sanchez is a rising star in the art world, beginning his career in 2011 as a 2D artist on an animated short film and continuing in the audiovisual industry.
“I bought my first reflex camera during a trip to New York and haven’t looked back.”
Jaime’s initial passion was street photography, but as his artistic palette broadened that changed and he found himself exploring still life. Using Affinity Photo as his primnary editing tool, he mixes in key pop art influences, resulting in a distinctive individual style. And of course, there’s the spaghetti…
We’re going to get straight to it—why spaghetti?
I like that people ask why I use spaghetti. The answer is very simple: I like to draw attention in my works. My main objective is to make powerful and colourful photos and I think spaghetti as a subject delivers all of this!
What’s the idea behind the wacky concept of the spaghetti grabber?
Well, the spaghetti grabber is part of my photographic series ‘Spaghetti World’, where I place spaghetti in various different situations and introduce an element of surrealism and irony along the way. I also like that it has a touch of humour—picking up a teddy in a grabber is often like picking up spaghetti! So I think that the machine is ideal for tying all of those elements together.
Is there a significance to the 12.44?
It would be great to have an artistic response to explain why I used the 12:44, but I’m disappointed to say that it is simply the machine’s default time.
I must say I do like random things without any explanation too!
What’s your process for a piece like the spaghetti grabber? How long does it take to create somethimg like that?
There is no predetermined time or way to create a photograph. In this case, the idea just came to my mind when I was shopping on Amazon and an ad with a candy grabber appeared during my purchase.
I thought the concept of using the machine to catch spaghetti and not candy or teddies would be ideal.
What tool do you find you use most to create your work?
The tool that I use the most is editing software, in my case, Affinity Photo. I enjoy the photo editing stage and spend more time doing that than in the studio actually making the photo. Within Affinity Photo itself I particularly like the Quick Masks combined with refine.
What led you to become a visual artist?
It all started when I discovered Andy Warhol’s Pop Art in 2009 when I studied visual arts, since then my artistic side grew and grew until in 2014 I visited a LEGO exhibition in New York and started making my own personal version of Pop Art.
In reality, all my inspiration is thanks to that LEGO exhibition. In fact, my first Pop Art photo is made with ‘LEGO popcorn’.
Who inspires your art?
My main source of inspiration is Andy Warhol and over the years Maurizzio Cattelan too has become one of my artistic references. I find pretty much all the inspiration I need from these two artists alone. With Andy Warhol, it’s all the colour he used in his work. Starting from that base I have been creating my own personal colour palette.
What’s been your favourite project to date?
It has to be the Minimal LEGO project. I’m a big fan of LEGO and being able to make a minimalist and colourful series is very fun, in addition, including the objects that I use every day gave it that conceptual touch.
Being an advertising photographer there must be some dream clients you’d like to work for. If you could work for any brand, what would it be?
I like this question and had never thought about it, but I think working for brands like Kenzo or Swatch would be great. Their products would fit perfectly with my style.
“Visitors will be able to take a bath of spaghetti if they want!”
What’s next on your project bucket list?
Right now I am finishing my series ‘Spaghetti World’, and soon I will prepare an exhibition with all the artworks and a large spaghetti bathtub in the centre of the room. Visitors will be able to take a bath in spaghetti if they want!
Where would you like to see yourself artistically in 10 years?
I would like to be part of a new pop art movement where my works are in galleries and museums.
“My style has been developed thanks to Andy Warhol and all the colour he used in his work”
What advice would you give to someone starting out on the path of becoming a visual artist?
It is difficult to give advice to someone on how to become an artist. Personally, I think there really is no real advice about being an artist, everything is very subjective. Art simply flows with oneself.
And what’s the best advice you’ve been given in your career?
Be different and be unique.
To view more of Jaime Sanchez’s wild and whacky works check out his work online at jaimesanchezart.com, on Facebook, Instagram and Behance.