Photographer Nicolas Ipiña reflects on the profound impact of grief on his creative evolution—transforming his art from a means of provocation to an intimate act of self-expression.
This story is a long time coming. But let’s save that for later.
His work first caught my eye on Instagram. Sometimes beautiful, sometimes perplexing, sometimes powerful—and sometimes, all at once. A ballerina suspended in mid-air, draped in flowing orange, arms stretched up in full surrender to her inevitable fall toward the earth’s center—so it seems at first glance. Until the image draws you in. And you notice the precision of her perfectly pointed toes, the soft fabric of her dress shaped like a tornado as it catches the wind. Then, the perspective shifts: she’s not falling at all. She is in full control, effortlessly defying gravity, as she gracefully yet intentionally lifts herself up toward the sky. Peaceful or frightening—or both—it all depends on how you see it.
The images on his Instagram page span the world, awakening a deep sense of wanderlust. His nomadic lens has captured Berlin, Münster, Cologne, Námafjall, Göreme, Topkapi, Brussels, Punta de Tralca, Santiago, Istanbul, Ferragudo, Peñaflor, Selfoss, Cappadocia, Madrid, Leuven, Toronto, New Delhi, Barcelona, Paris, Toulouse, Montmartre, Bergen, Oslo, Copenhagen, La Défense, Tempelhof, Vienna, Leipzig, Zürich, Reykjavik, and more. Some of the photographs are accompanied with deep and meaningful quotes from Ram Dass, Merleau-Ponty, Ramana Maharshi, Thich Nhat Hanh—inviting you to pause, ponder, and reflect.
“Allowing ourselves to be.” | “What resonates in me with this photo is the search or reunion within ourselves with love, memories, light.”
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After months of following his work, my curiosity got the best of me, compelling me to reach out to Nicolas Ipiña, inviting him for an interview. I was thrilled when he graciously accepted but then left me wondering, as my interview questions were left unanswered. Two months later, Nicolas replied with an apology for “disappearing so suddenly,” explaining that his mother had passed away. “My mother died at the end of November and the truth is that my heart was only focused on her.” Having lost my mother recently also, his words resonated deeply with me. I reassured him he could take his time and I would welcome his answers whenever he was ready.
Creative Evolution
It would be another 10 months before I heard from Nicolas again. Here is the interview, where he shares his artistic journey and how grief has influenced his art.
“Sometimes it’s hard to put a face to the memory.” | “Grief.”
Born in Chile on July 1, 1988, Nicolas Ipiña comes from a diverse family. He shares, “One of the beautiful things that amazes me about my parents is that love underlies all those differences. Being able to have discussions, disagree, and communicate without needing to change each other feels incredibly beautiful to me.”
At 18 years old, Nicolas moved to Buenos Aires to study graphic design at the University of Buenos Aires. He narrates how after finishing his studies, he moved to Europe and travelled as a nomad while practicing photography. “It was intense and beautiful, but now I have found my base in Reykjavik. For the first time in my life, I feel I have a safe space that I love.”
Nicolas Ipiña
When did you become an artist? Was it a gradual realization or did you always know even as a child? Describe your journey.
“The concept of being an artist has evolved over the years for me, shifting from a desire to provoke to a wish to share a part of my heart. In recent years, I’ve found a calm that allows me to listen to what Nicolás Ipiña, as a being in this world, wants to convey. There was a time when a part of my heart sought to stir emotions and make others feel unsettled. However, since my mother’s passing on November 30, 2023, my approach has become more intimate. I now view photography as my spiritual practice, through which I delve into my heart. What I share are traces of that journey.”
What or who inspires you to create? Once inspiration hits, what is the creation process for you like? How long does it usually take you to finish an artwork?
“I am inspired by the connections between beings and practices, as they can help us reconnect with our own hearts and love. It’s beautiful to witness someone connecting their heart with their practice, which inevitably makes my heart recognize parts of that space of love, allowing me to connect from there. For me, the creative space begins with how my heart perceives the world. By doing this, I enable others to consciously or unconsciously connect with their own hearts. Regarding the duration of my work, I find it challenging to specify, as the emotional process I engage in has been unfolding throughout my life, and my photography is part of that journey as well.”
Who is Nicolas Ipiña in your alter ego? What would friends and family be surprised to learn about you? If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
“I believe there exists a version of me that is disillusioned with the system, particularly with spending the limited years of life we have merely to generate money and then pass away. This aspect of me finds little meaning in such a system, which might explain why my connection to love, the heart, and relationships between beings is so precious to me. Understanding that within such a flawed system, the only thing I find are more individuals sharing the same dilemma and the same space of love is incredibly beautiful.”
Do you support any advocacies or charities? If so, what would they be and what has compelled you to support these endeavors?
“The only organization I truly admire is the Love Serve Remember Foundation for their beautiful work in sharing the teachings of Neem Karoli Baba and Ram Dass, among others. Although I haven’t been able to actively support them, this foundation has truly captured my heart.”
What is true wealth and luxury for you?
“For me, true wealth and luxury lie in the ability to tell the people you love that you love them. It’s about sharing that resonance of the heart and giving space to our hearts in our lives.”
What is “life purpose” for you? Are you living your life’s purpose now?
“I can’t precisely define my purpose, but I feel it when I share my heart and allow others to connect with their own. Whether through art, conversations, or simply being kind, these moments reflect the essence of my purpose.”
What are your future aspirations and personal goals you are still striving toward?
“I aspire to live fully from my art to ensure that this spiritual practice I have with photography can also generate a sustainable income. While I don’t seek much, I simply hope for continuity in this journey.”
What is “art” for you? How would you define it?
“To me, art is one of the gateways to the heart. It creates spaces, conceptually resisting yet remaining wide open. It serves as both an entry and exit point for emotional expression.”
What keeps the fire in your belly burning to create?
“The love of my family and the desire to share light, love, and kindness inspire me to create.”
What message would you like to share with those interested to learn more about your work and artistic endeavors?
“I would encourage everyone to keep their hearts open. Life, whether it feels horrible or beautiful, is worth experiencing with an open heart. It’s essential to see people through the lens of the heart and to embrace differences from that perspective. This openness allows us to connect deeply and fosters understanding, compassion, and love in our interactions.”
Banner photo courtesy of Nicolas Ipiña.
