Future Stories

The MOP Foundation was born in 2022 with two priorities: to regularly exhibit in Galicia the work of the world’s leading fashion photographers, and to give this initiative an educational side that would serve as support and inspiration to future generations of Galician artists. As part of this facet, “Future Stories” is the project with which we accompany every year a selection of recent graduates in their first steps as professional photographers. We do so, first, by offering them top-level training in fashion photography in collaboration with the prestigious Fondazione Sozzani, and next, taking their work to the same space where audiences were previously able to enjoy the work of Peter Lindbergh, Steven Meisel and Helmut Newton: the MOP Centre at the Muelle de Batería in A Coruña.

Over their three-month stay at the Fondazione Sozzani’s headquarters in Milan, Umesh Graña, Alba Jiménez and Sofía Taboada received the necessary knowledge and tools to be able to exploit their talent as photographers and create three unique personal projects. We are now presenting these at the exhibition “Future Stories” (13 June – 31 July 2024) and in this catalogue. I am sure that this is just the first dream come true in the long creative careers that await them.

After decades living in fashion and photography, it is a privilege to be able to share knowledge with a new generation of talents. During this joint program of The MOP Foundation and Fondazione Sozzani, Alba Jiménez, Sofía Taboada and Umesh Graña grew in mastering visual literacy and enhancing their personal style through the development and creation of a single printed project.

Jiménez’s little book Glossy stems from an innate need for water is a reflection of her passionate journey to understand the mystery of light through the study of water. Taboada’s ideation and experimentation brings her work far beyond technical and theoretical practice to reach an emotional impact that is expressed in her publication It’s a quiet starry place. Umesh’s Mixed feelings little book is a result of his dedication and immersion in the world of photography, from its history to technique and concept, and his constant research.

Coming to understand what it is to master all the facets of the art of photography has allowed each of them to frame their own distinct point of view in these projects. Creating work grounded in these newly acquired techniques will foster a desire to bring these unique visions forward in the future.

The collaboration between the Department of Education, Science, Universities and Vocational Training and the MOP Foundation represents a unique opportunity for students of the Higher Level Training Cycle of Photography from the four Art and Design Schools of Galicia.

This first edition of the Future Stories catalogue is presented as a launch pad for the work carried out by Umesh Graña, Alba Jiménez and Sofía Taboada, students of the Art and Design Schools of Galicia who, thanks to this collaboration, take their first step as professionals in the field fashion photography.

We hope this is the beginning of a great and successful artistic career.