INSPIRATION

I am usually inspired by the things closest to me. Most of the time, I find myself drawn to faces and the emotions they evoke. I don't look for a specific meaning. What matters most is the feeling each encounter leaves behind.

When I first began photographing nature, I became particularly fascinated by the Japanese tradition of Suiseki - naturally shaped stones whose forms resemble faces, animals and other creatures.

These encounters are fleeting. Preserving these faces has become one of the driving forces behind the project.  Through photography and the addition of ceramic forms, they are given a lasting presence beyond the natural cycle of erosion, while the original stones remain untouched. By interrupting that cycle, the stone faces continue to "talk" long after they would otherwise have disappeared.

Today, If Rocks Could Talk brings together photography, sculpture, storytelling and land art. Whether I am photographing a face in a rock, adding a ceramic body, or arranging natural elements into a fleeting scene, I am interested in the same question: what happens when we slow down enough to notice what has always been there?

THE CREATIVE PROCESS

Every project begins with observation. During my walks, I look for naturally occurring faces, expressions and interactions that seem to emerge on their own. Sometimes they are simply photographed as they are. At other times, a minimal intervention — using only natural materials found on site — helps reveal what already seems to be present. Some discoveries evolve into ephemeral land art, others into ceramic sculptures, and a few eventually inspire stories. The project gradually evolved into a dialogue between photography, sculpture and storytelling.

Unlike conventional sculpture, the stones themselves remain untouched. Rather than carving or altering them, I create ceramic bodies that respond to their natural forms. The character already exists; the sculpture allows it to become fully present while preserving the stone's original identity. It has been a fascinating journey, leading me towards new ideas and unexpected discoveries. The project gradually evolved into a dialogue between photography, sculpture and storytelling, bringing together ceramic, naturally shaped stones and emotion.

Each piece is a unique work of art — a meeting between a singular stone face and a one-of-a-kind ceramic body. Once completed, the sculpture is photographed, usually in the same landscape where its stone was discovered. Some of these images have inspired stories, including Glop-O, the Visitor, the first book, a visual-literary work, to emerge from the project. Alongside these longer visual-literary works, the project also includes shorter photographic stories inspired by moments of land art and quiet encounters in nature. While the books begin with a character and follow its journey, these stories begin with a moment and capture a fleeting encounter. And that's how rocks talk to you. 

The project continues to evolve, with new discoveries and pieces added regularly.

Thank you for visiting. I hope this project inspires you to discover the many faces hidden in nature. I'd love to hear from you.