Pieza Madre
Photographer Andoni Beristain is known for his bold use of colour, working with some of the top fashion brands. When his mother suddenly passed away in 2022, he created Pieza Madre – an homage to unconditional love, loss and death. Using the colour yellow for bad luck, Andoni’s images are a reminder that we should never take anything in life for granted.
Photography Andoni Beristain 
We take those things that give us sense in life for granted. We think those who are our beacon, our guide, home and safe place, sofa and warm blanket nights will never leave us. You believe you’ll never miss a hug, some fun time watching those awful afternoon TV films, comfort food, good advice, and never-ending love. But, one day, they are gone. And everything changes. And missing becomes your day-to-day life.
Ángeles Isidora Zabalo passed away in 2022 after a life full of difficulties, fighting, smiles and humbleness, trying not to draw attention, insecurities, lots of work and a generosity bigger than all the oceans in the world. She gave when she had nothing and helped when no one helped her.
She left suddenly, without leaving a manual on how to get on without her behind. From her memory, her life, her courage and her tireless sense of humour, Pieza Madre is born, an exploration of the outside space, a need to fill a void, to tell a story, to honour a woman, using yellow, the bad luck colour, as a subject. These images are a way to explain that we cannot take anything or anyone for granted. That we have to celebrate what’s good, go through the hard times and remain still standing. Like Ángeles did.
Pieza Madre is a series of photographs and concepts created by her son, Andoni Beristain, whose hands, those that hold the camera, are identical to hers.
About Andoni
Andoni Beristain is a Basque photographer born in a small village in Northern Spain in 1989. Since he was a kid, he’s been fascinated with shapes, colours, observing the world and fitting (or not) in it. He now lives between San Sebastian and Barcelona; his roots are essential to understanding his aesthetics.
For the last eight years, he’s worked for brands like Kenzo, Louis Vuitton, Braun and Adobe, among many others, and he’s been featured in international magazines and exhibitions. He has also found a way to explain his stories, life-changing events, political stands and worries through his photography, combining big-scale outdoors still life and carefully curated studio work.
To see more of his work, visit his website or follow him on Instagram
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