Walter x Zoniel

Both immersive and tangible, Walter x Zoniel’s work thrives at crafting all-encompassing experiences. The artists aspire to create moments of wonder and joy, exploring the magic of connection. Their practice defies categorization, spanning photography, video, performance, installation, painting, and sculpture, as mediums to delve into timeless human-led conversations on the essence of being and identity.

Zoniel’s background in monastic fine arts and Tibetan Buddhism, combined with her ordination as a Buddhist nun, brings a profound sense of spirituality and traditional craftsmanship to their collaborative work. Meanwhile, Walter’s academic pursuits in Nebular Theory and Scientific Documentary Filmmaking, along with his experiments in process photography and public interventions, infuse their artistic endeavours with a scientific and experimental dimension.

In a serendipitous collision of worlds, Walter and Zoniel embarked on their artistic journey together in 2014 as Walter x Zoniel. Dedicated solely to their joint practice, they created a personal world where intuition and creativity intertwine ceaselessly. By designing their own artistic realm, they found unique ways to share their creative pursuits with viewers, sometimes even incorporating elements of themselves into their work. This immersive approach allowed them to conduct extensive research, a process akin to a rhizome with roots stretching in multiple directions, drawing inspiration from meditation, technological innovations, and ancient processes.

​What sets Walter x Zoniel apart as true alchemists is their continuous drive for innovation. Their photographic processes constantly evolve and adapt to coincide with their conceptual intentions. Walter, leveraging his deep knowledge of chemistry, applies his expertise to create unique photographic techniques in nature. Their collaborative experiments have led to the reformulation of processes such as wet plate collodion, room size camera, tintypes, and salt printing. With each project, their work transforms, breathing new life into the medium itself.

​While their technical innovations are remarkable, Walter x Zoniel’s artistry extends far beyond the realm of chemistry and photography. Their work transcends the physical, creating conceptual proposals from the handling of physical matters. Guided by colour and apophenia, they masterfully navigate the delicate balance between science and spirituality, weaving together tangible and intangible elements to create playful and powerful perceptions. Walter x Zoniel’s artistic mission is rooted in accessibility and democratic engagement. Their works often find their first forms in the public realm, allowing them to share their beauty and ideas with diverse audiences. Looking at one of their creations is to witness the crystallisation of their effusive energy, leaving an indelible memory of their innovative and immersive artistry. In summary,
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Walter x Zoniel’s practice is marked by their ability to merge scientific knowledge, particularly Walter’s expertise in chemistry, with their expansive artistic vision. Their continuous exploration and experimentation in photographic processes, coupled with their mastery of various mediums, result in awe-inspiring and all-encompassing experiences that invite viewers into a world of wonder and joy.