ABOUT
I was raised in a lively place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the famous district called La Boca. I am a descendant of Jewish families that emigrated to Argentina from Germany, Moldavia, and Ukraine. Currently, I live in the Balearic Islands, Spain, and Florianopolis, Brazil. I work as a portraitist and interior photographer.
At the moment my focus is on personal photography projects, using it to explore self-awareness and self-expression. In 2023 and 2022, I was selected for two individual exhibitions with a project called the art of living; both exhibitions were presented in Formentera and very well received by critics and the public. Some images from this project have been sold to art collectors in Italy and France. You can se the catalogue of the first exhibition here.
I studied media at the ORT Technical School in Buenos Aires. At the age of 21, I settled in Berlin, trained as a professional acrobat at the Die Etage arts school, which led me to work in renowned theaters and festivals in Germany and Switzerland. Having lived that stage of my life with great recognition as a Performer, in 2004 I decided to leave it to dedicate myself to photography.
In 2004, my brother, Nico Zadek, and I opened Flashpoint, a portrait studio in Es Pujols, Formentera.
Since 2020, I have been developing an artistic documentary project called "THE ART OF LIVING", in which I document through photographs the creative processes of artists, artisans and craft teachers residing on the Island. In 2022 I had a first individual exhibition with this project in Formentera at the Old town Hall salon and in 2023 and a second exhibition at the Antoni Tur Gabrielet Center.
In recent years, I have been participating in workshops and mentoring with curators such as Irmina Walczak, Danny Bittencourt and Maira Gamarra. Since 2022, I began to dedicate myself more deeply to authorial and artistic photography, exploring different languages such as self-portraits. This is where I find my artistic way of expressing personal issues that go through my history and experiences.
I speak German, English, Portuguese, Italian, and Catalan, in addition to my native Spanish.
I teach Kundalini yoga, I love dancing, I am fascinated by Mother Nature, I feel very connected to animals and plants, and I have a gypsy soul.
Career Highlights and Artistic Journey
IRINA ZADEK - Visual Artist and Performer
Photographic Exhibitions
Upcoming Solo Exhibition
February 2025 – FORMENTERA through the Lens of Irina Zadek – Solo exhibition at the CREARTE Gallery in Wolfsburg Schloss, Wolfsburg, Germany.
Recent Exhibitions
2024 – LA PLURAL, La Noche del Arte – Photographic and performance presentation Las cartas del bosque, el tarot de Formentera, Formentera.
2023 – THE ART OF LIVING II – Solo exhibition, curated by Danny Bittencourt. Exhibition Hall at Centre Antoni Tur Gabrielet, Formentera.
2023 – HABITAT – Group exhibition, Exhibition Hall at l'Ajuntament Vell, Formentera.
2022 – THE ART OF LIVING – Solo exhibition, curated by Danny Bittencourt. Exhibition Hall at Ajuntament Vell, Formentera.
2018 – MAPS – Group exhibition curated by Pilar Mena, Centre Antoni Tur Gabrielet, Formentera.
Photographic Documentation
2024 – Photographic documentation for the book "Kyringue Arandua Nheovangaa - Guarani Childhood and Games"
Author: Silvana Mindua Vidal Verissimo – Brazil
Visual documentation of traditions and children's games in the Guarani community.2018-2022 – Photographic documentation of the group "Nomads United"
Captured the artistic work of an itinerant collective traveling on horseback, performing theater in rural communities in Guatemala and Honduras.2009-2014 – Photographic reports with Ibizan photographer Guillermo Ferrer Torres
Collaborated on photographic projects documenting culture and daily life in Morocco, India, Cuba, Argentina, and Brazil.2010 – Photographic documentation of the traditional theater company "Kattai Kuttu Sangam"
Photographed rehearsals and performances of this traditional theater company in southern India.
Professional Experience as a Performer
2018-2022 – Member of the Nomadic Artistic Collective "Nomads United"
Actively participated in an itinerant artistic collective traveling on horseback, bringing theater performances to rural communities in Guatemala and Honduras. Created and performed theatrical works adapted to the diverse cultures and landscapes of the villages visited.1996-2003 – Acrobatic Duo "LAVADOS"
Co-creator alongside Chilean actor Ricardo Gallardo, performing in prestigious variety theaters and international festivals.
Performed at venues such as GOP Varieté-Theater (Münster and Hannover), Chamäleon Theatre (Berlin), Schmidt Theater (Hamburg), Varieté-Theater Krystallpalast (Leipzig), The tête-à-tête Festival (Rastatt), and International Street Theatre Mosbach.
Participated in international tours with the duo Ursus & Nadeschkin, performing in Switzerland, including Freaks & Special Guests and the Arosa Humor Festival.
Featured on Viktor Giacobbo’s television program Viktors Spätprogramm (Switzerland).1999 – Award for Emerging Stage Talent
Won first prize at Cabaret Chamäleon Varieté, Berlin, for an innovative acrobatic performance.1989-1994 – Member of the Theater Group "Catalinas Sur"
Participated in various theatrical productions in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as part of a renowned social and community theater collective.
Education and Training
2024 – Mentorship with Maíra Gamarra
Curator and editor specializing in contemporary art.2024 – Study Group with Irmina Walzack
Training and discussions on photographic and visual practices.2021-2024 – Mentorship with Danny Bittencourt
Focused on photography and visual performance.1995-1998 – Diploma at DIE ETAGE – School for Performing Arts, Berlin
Professional training in performing arts, specializing in physical theater and performance.1990-1993 – Technical School ORT, Buenos Aires
Diploma in Media Communications.
Languages
Spanish (native)
German (fluent)
Portuguese (fluent)
English (fluent)
Italian (basic)
Catalan (basic)