Featured Photographer: Mariska Karto

Born in Suriname, South America, and now based in the Netherlands, Mariska Karto is a visual artist and fine-art photographer whose work is a vibrant reflection of her rich, multicultural heritage.

With Surinamese, Indonesian, African, and Dutch roots, Karto sees the world as a brilliant fusion of colours and cultures, a perspective that is central to her artistic vision.

She is currently a Judge for The Capture Awards 2025.

Her work predominantly features the human figure, delving into its vulnerability and strength, and exploring the multifaceted nature of femininity. Karto's imagery is both deeply personal and timeless, using sensuality, cultural archetypes, and social themes to create still, narrative worlds that captivate the viewer.

Karto's artistic style is a unique blend of historical and contemporary influences. Drawing inspiration from the dramatic intensity of the Baroque period, the dreamlike qualities of fantasy, and the iconic power of cultural symbols, she creates what she terms 'hyperphotocollages'.

These intricate compositions navigate the delicate space between dreamscape and reality, where the poetic and the documentary coexist. A trip to Venice, with its layered history and baroque art, proved to be a profound and lasting source of inspiration for her.

Her background as a figurative sketcher and textile artist is evident in her meticulous attention to detail and the sensitive, sincere atmosphere she creates in her pieces.

Since officially beginning her career as a photo artist in 2012, Karto has achieved significant international recognition. She is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including a first-place Gold Award at the PX3 Prix De La Photographie De Paris in the professional fine art category.

In 2016, she was also nominated as an Ambassador of Tolerance. Her work has been exhibited globally and is featured in the collections of high-end establishments such as the Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam and the Hotel Vagabond in Singapore. With representation in galleries from Denver to Paris, Mariska Karto continues to establish herself as a powerful and distinctive voice in the world of contemporary art.

You can see more of Mariska's work on her website.