High Tide, Colares (2024)
Photographed on a crisp autumn afternoon in the village of Azoia, nestled inPortugal’s Colares region, this image captures the raw meeting point between land, sea, and human presence.
The tide has risen, and a few local men are bathing in the waves, enjoying the rhythm of the ocean as it gently folds over the shore. The beach is difficult to access — you have to climb down steep paths carved into the
cliffs, making it a hidden spot known mostly to locals. The dramatic rock formations, sharp and sculptural, give the place a distinct and almost mythical atmosphere.
Alexander Kayiambakis is drawn to landscapes,
but always with a human presence — a subtle interruption that adds narrative
weight. In this image, the figures of the men are small in scale
Alexander Kayiambakis is represented in the renowned Møller Collection, which will be permanently housed in the new photo center Dech/Fotografiska in 2028 — a recognition that reflects the depth and distinctiveness of his photographic voice.
His work explores the intersection between analog and digital processes through a material, open-ended approach. The images are intuitive and quietly observational, often inviting the viewer to pause and see the familiar anew. Rooted in decades of image-making, his practice is shaped by both deliberate choices and the unexpected.
Deeply influenced by landscapes — both natural and built — Kayiambakis often works in coastal and rugged environments, where human presence meets elemental forces. His compositions reflect a sensitivity to space, light, and atmosphere, capturing the subtle tension between permanence and impermanence.
With a background as a four-time Norwegian skateboarding champion and former team rider for Santa Cruz, his photographic gaze is informed by movement, spatial awareness, and a deep connection to rhythm and flow — qualities that echo through his visual storytelling.
He studied at the Norwegian Film School and is currently Head of Studies at the Department of Art and Design Education at OsloMet.
