Pilar Cristi

I combine my artistic and creative background as a graphic designer for a leading motorsports company, with my love of capturing time and emotions through a lens.

I was born and raised in Santiago, Chile, where as a young girl, my love for the arts developed. After two decades as a graphic artist, a trip to Paris re-ignited my love for photography while capturing endless images full of street life and stories at every turn. Since that trip, I’ve traveled the world and backpacked the Eastern Sierra wilderness, exploring remote landscapes throughout the western United States with my camera. What began as a hobby, quickly became a passion.

As a Photographer, I’m self-taught, having learned my craft through personal research and practical experience behind the camera. In my current work, I have transitioned to the love of black and white photography, I incorporate daytime long exposure technique to capture the images with the added element of time. Sometimes the exposures are up to six minutes long. The end result evokes mystery and surrealism, and something that wasn’t visible to the eye before, now takes a dreamlike appearance. An image that only exists in my mind, through my creative vision. I’m haunted and intrigued by the awe of urban decay and ominous skies. My photography satisfies my hunger for the unknown and a desire to interpret my own reality. With a passion for travel, exploration, art, beach life and coffee, I now live in Laguna Beach, where I have exhibited in Laguna’s prestigious art festivals.

2013 Art-a-Fair Festival, Laguna Beach
2014 Festival of Arts, Laguna Beach
2015 Festival of Arts, Laguna Beach – “People’s Choice Award & Honorable Mention”
2016 Indian Wells Arts Festival
2016 Bowers Museum – Aging as Art Photography Exhibit
2016 Beverly Hills Art Show – “2nd place for Best in Photography”
2017 San Diego Festival of Arts
2017 Beverly Hills Art Show – “Honorable Mention”
2018 Beverly Hills Art Show – (Upcoming May Show)