Biography

Choosing subjects from around the world, Isztin’s film-based and digital photography
portrays an empathic connection to nature and humanity. Each photograph is an
intimate portrait, revealing landscapes with “spirit” and “human nature that is, wherever
you may find it, by definition universal.” 1 *

Pedro’s photographs reflect the richness of his heritage. Born in 1964 to a Colombian
mother and Hungarian father, Isztin lives in Ottawa, Canada.

Selected series explore monolithic structures (in Remains), inner life and outer world
connected through spiritual nature (Sami), the subtlety of a human gesture (Nuance),
and studies of land and humankind’s influence on nature (The River, Study of Structure
and Form, and The Glade). Since meeting the Gods, a farming family in Peru, his most
lengthy series to date (Limatambo, 2000 – ongoing) focuses on Andean rural life. His
The River exhibition debuted at Ottawa’s City Hall Gallery in the Fall of 2012 in
conjunction with Ottawa’s Photography Festival X and Nuit Blanche. His limited edition
artist book The River, created by David Bosschaart, showcases the series in its entirety
and features an essay by photographer / university professor Justin Wonnacott.

In his most recent solo exhibition Desposorio, 2017, the themes of human mortality,
transformation, and the unknown are explored through the use of the Risograph printing
process. A photograph from Destino III: Transformation is part of The Canada Council
Art Bank’s 50th anniversary group exhibition Looking the World in the Face, curated by
Amin Alsaden, 2022-23.

Pedro has received funding to support the creation of his projects from various sources,
such as grants from the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Isztin’s work has been exhibited internationally and featured in photography books
including Underwegs (2017, Ottawa), Full of Grace (2006, New York), and selected
magazines “Shots” (#148, 2020, Saint Paul, MN), “Contact Sheet” (#148, 2008,
Syracuse, NY), and “Private” (#37, 2007, Italy). His work is included in the permanent
collections of the Canada Council Art Bank, the City of Ottawa’s Fine Art Collection, and
Light Work, Syracuse, New York.