Clusters of Bright Balloons Envelop Photographer Fares Micue in Her Expressive Self-Portraits

GRACE EBERT

“Contagious energy.” and “Chasing illusions”

In her ongoing series of self-portraits, Spain-based photographer and artist Fares Micue(previously) trades her usual monarchs and lush, leafy botanicals for bright airborne balloons. The perfectly round vessels appear suspended in motion as they encircle Micue’s torso, conceal her face, or lead her up a painted stairway. The amorphous clusters follow the artist’s distinct use of color, adding either a stark contrast to her clothing and the backdrop or blending with the existing architectural palette.

“Endless options,” in collaboration with Artstar

In a note to Colossal, Micue shares that while she brings in organic elements like flowers and leaves to evoke the earth’s seasonal patterns, the ballons are derived from the universe’s more foundational and constant elements, like the sun, the moon, and the planets.[…]

“Too many expectations”