Interview: Neil Shapiro
Luca Curci talks with Neil Shapiro during FUTURE LANDSCAPES, the second appointment of the 19th edition of VENICE INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2024, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

Neil Shapiro is a Director of Photography and Fine Arts Photographer. As Director of Photography, Neil has photographed many iconic national TV commercials. He has worked on over 2000 commercials, 10 short films, 50 music videos, and 2 motion pictures. When Covid caused a work stoppage, Neil channelled his creative energy towards photography. Neil interestingly is an autodidact and never attended art school.

Luca Curci – How much has the city/country in which you grew up/born affected your work as an artist?
Neil Shapiro – I grew up in a suburb of New York City. As a child, my father took me to botanical gardens, camping trips, and hiking. This helped nurture a love of all things in nature. It made sense that I’d enjoy capturing some of this beauty cinematically and in still photography.

LC – How did you get into photography? Do you remember why you took your first professional photo?
NS – I got into photography through the film business. I was an Assistant Cameraman for a few years. This gave me insight into the world of photography. This eventually led me towards cinematography and fine arts photography. My first serious photo was taken for a photography class after college. It was a step towards becoming a cinematographer.

LC – How important is the editing process in your work? How’s yours?
NS – Editing is a very important part of my process. Through editing, I’m able to personalize a photo.  Editing helps create a distinction from other artists. 

LC – How do you choose your subjects? Is it a reasoned or an instinctive process?
NS – I’ve chosen to be a nature/landscape photographer because I love the outdoors. I enjoy walking and hiking alone and finding photo spots that appeal to me. Natural light is also a reason I tend to stay outdoors and shoot nature. Nothing compares to the light of the sun.

LC – How is your creative process?
NS – My process is basically always turned on.  I’m constantly looking at the world with the thought of framing and shooting something. Driving to the grocery store or travelling to a unique environment is the same thing to me. There is always something to photograph. I am attracted to repeating forms in nature such as leaves on a tree, ripples in a lake, waves in an ocean, peaks of a mountaintop, sand dunes and other natural repetitions.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this exhibition? How did it inspire you?
NS – I love the concept of the exhibition. Being a landscape photographer, this concept captivated me.  Some of my images show the landscape as being relatively bleak and stark. This fits with the concept of the exhibition.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
NS – I very much enjoyed working with the ITSLIQUID GROUP. I received wonderful help when I needed to choose the photos for the exhibition. I thought the curator’s choices were great and I really believe in everyone at the group. The exhibition is also being held in a beautiful space.

LC – What is the message linked to the artwork you have shown in this event? How is it connected to the theme of the entire exhibition?
NS – This exhibition allows the artist to exhibit their personal interpretations of the environment. At the moment, the earth is in decline. Drought, rising sea levels, fires, heat waves and monsoons are changing the configuration of the land. This exhibition gives artists an opportunity to have a visual opinion about this inevitable future.