This year, Aesthetica celebrated its 20th anniversary: two decades of showcasing the breadth and scope of contemporary art and culture. From rich portraits imbued with colour theory to concealed figures posed against contrasting backdrops; these are the six images which made it onto the cover in 2023.
Fares Micue
Spanish photographer Fares Micue’s dreamlike approach is characterised by symbolism and attention to detail. The artist balances, poised as a flock of paper birds rush past. This image was chosen for its relevance to our 20th anniversary, symbolising the power of ideas and what it means to be brave.
Amy Harrity
Amy Harrity is an editorial and commercial photographer known for a playful and sensitive approach to image-making. Her style is characterised by simplicity, intimacy and curiosity that foregrounds human emotions. Here models with canary yellow jumpers pose with their backs turned against the camera.
Christina Coral
Rich imagery by Italian photographer Christina Coral brought colour theory to our attention. Coral is based in Italy, making carefully curated scenes that interrogate the relationship between subjects and environments. The artist is inspired by John Baldessari, featuring geometric shapes over faces.
Fares Micue
In our October / November issue, Spanish photographer Fares Micue returned to Aesthetica with a self-portrait series, filled with feathers, leaves, balloons, paper cranes and butterflies. Her images tap into the history of Surrealism, providing a contemporary take on classic motifs of concealment, anonymity and play.
Estúdio Bingo
Estúdio Bingo was established in 2015 by co-founders Eliza and Mariel. Since then, the duo has built a bold portfolio filled with colour, joy and fun. Each shot is rooted in a story, and is visually satisfying in its co-ordination. Here, eyeshadow is carefully matched with luscious leaves in the foreground.
Andrea Torres Balaguer
Andrea Torres Balaguer’s photographic portraits could easily be mistaken for oil paintings. Garnet red and emerald green provide backdrops for gold silk blouses and deep velvet gowns. Here, a single confident brush stroke cuts straight across the central figure’s face, cloaking the subject in anonymity.
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