Daniel Santolo Franco
What’s your name and where are you from/based?
My name is Daniel Santolo Franco, I’m from Venezuela and I’m based in Barcelona, Spain.
Can you describe what you do in a few words?
I transform ideas into visual forms, like a poem, where each element plays a role. I enjoy creating small worlds with objects.
Your work finds “the sublime in the everyday”, what draws you to simple, quiet details of life?
I’m drawn to the idea that life is shaped by small details, silent spectators with no opinion that carry reality. You could be going through a tragedy or living the happiest day of your life, and a stone would still be there, still and unchanged, just as it has been for years. Even the simplest details hold a richness of information that deserves to be admired.
Is there a small moment or detail in your everyday life that feels special to you?
Nowadays, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to connect with small spaces because of how our reality is and “what it demands from us.” That’s why I try, whenever possible, to go to places where nature prevails, and if that’s not possible, I enjoy walking and observing what’s around me.
Are there recurring symbols or motifs that you return to, either consciously or
subconsciously?
For me, everyday objects are portals to people or moments. I often use them consciously, like stones, which carry a strong symbolic, semiotic, and biological weight, and fit perfectly within my discourse. But I also suppose that, because of that same emotional weight, many of them appear unconsciously as well.
Do you approach a shoot with a set narrative in mind, or do you allow the setting and subjects to guide the story?
Every project begins with a premise. I try to keep it simple at first, and then start adding layers of information, almost like a game. Although it’s true that, often in the very act of creating, ideas emerge that I hadn’t planned at all, and they end up being the most powerful.
You touch on migration, family, and diversity through a Latin American lens. How do your roots in Venezuela influence the atmosphere of your work?
My roots in Venezuela influence every aspect of my work. My vision holds the weight of Venezuelan culture, the art I grew up with, the colors of the Caribbean, our shared struggles,
the warmth of the people, the love of my parents. They are always present in my
imagination, like a quiet, steady pulse.
Even if my projects aren’t always explicit and I constantly seek new experiences, my roots remain the place I return to. They are not just a reference, they are part of who I am. I carry them with deep pride, and they continue to shape the atmosphere of everything I create.
Is there an aspect of Latin American storytelling or tradition do you feel most
connected to?
I think if there’s one tradition that resonates deeply with me, it’s the Diablos Danzantes (Dancing Devils), celebrated in different regions of the country during the time of Corpus Christi. I’m especially drawn to the Diablos of Naiguatá, in Vargas State, Venezuela. It’s a religious and cultural celebration that blends Catholic beliefs with Indigenous and Afro- Venezuelan traditions. These festivities are filled with color, dance, community, and cultural heritage, creating a bridge between reality and the mystical.
Is there a project that you feel represents you best at this moment in time?
There is a project with deep emotional weight called Relicario de un Viajero (A Traveler’s Reliquary), in which I portrayed my parents and grandmother, and explored my family legacy. The premise was rooted in the fact that I was about to leave Venezuela, and I was searching for a way to cope with the grief of distance and the knowledge that they would grow old while I was far away. It was a way of honoring them, turning them into archetypal figures of admiration. You can read more about this project on my website.
Where can people find you?
You can find me on social media @santolofranco and on my website santolofranco.com.
