Salomé Billato, a Lausanne native, has embarked on a creative journey that spans the realms of interactive media design and photography. After honing her skills with a CFC in interactive media design at ERACOM (École Romande d’Arts et Communication), she now finds herself in the inaugural year of her Bachelor’s degree program in Photography at ECAL (École cantonale d’art de Lausanne).

In her photographic practice, Salomé is fascinated by the metamorphosis of human bodies into living sculptures. Each photograph represents an exploration of form, texture, and light, where bodies transcend their physicality to become artistic expressions in their entirety.

What sets Salomé’s work apart is her vibrant color palette, creating an imaginative visual universe where reality and fiction blend seamlessly. She delights in playing with contrasts and patterns, crafting compositions that beckon the viewer into a realm of fantasy.

At the heart of Salomé’s practice lies the art of staging. Every element, whether it be set pieces, props, or models, is meticulously chosen to contribute to the overall aesthetic of the image. Still life and portraiture serve as her preferred playgrounds, allowing her to articulate her artistic vision through symbolically and emotionally rich compositions.

Her artistic approach is deeply influenced by cinema, where the boundary between reality and imagination blurs to give way to captivating dreamscapes. Directors like Alfred Hitchcock, David Lynch, and Tim Burton have shaped her perception of reality by introducing her to fantastical, sometimes unsettling worlds, where every detail is carefully orchestrated to evoke wonder. This affinity for fictional realms also finds resonance in the visionary work of Niki de Saint Phalle, whose boldness and vivacity of colors continue to inspire her.

Salomé’s inspirations extend to photographers such as Helmut Newton, whose bold fusion of fashion and nudity has left an indelible mark on her, and Thierry Mugler, Chiron Duong, whose boundary-pushing work in fashion fuels her quest for originality and innovation. Their ability to challenge conventions serves as an endless wellspring of inspiration, propelling her forward in her creative journey.