TITLE: Unequal Surfaces

This photograph explores the encounter between living flesh and sculpted stone. The body does not mirror the statue but momentarily carries it, emphasizing the contrast between permanence and change. In monochrome, skin and stone share light while remaining materially distinct.

AUTHOR: Hugo Dias (Switzerland)

Hugo is a self taught photographer whose practice centers on nude and self portraiture as a means of exploring identity, intimacy, and the human form. Over more than a decade, his work has developed into a study of trust, authenticity, and the celebration of individuality.
Influenced by the aesthetics of the 1980s and 90s, Gothic subculture, and fine art traditions, Hugo’s photography rejects imposed beauty standards, instead embracing the body as a personal history and a vessel of self expression. Since beginning his self portrait journey in 2021, he has embraced the freedom of experimentation — a space where personas, fashion, and nudity can be explored without constraint. Through this practice, he confronts insecurities, challenges cultural taboos, and reclaims the male nude within contemporary art.
His work has been recognized with medals and honorable mentions in international competitions, affirming his commitment to pushing boundaries and promoting acceptance through photography.