Marietta Varga // Raw Hill
- Felipe Rodríguez-Mattern
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
In her series Raw Hill, Marietta Varga reinterprets the imposing aesthetic of Brutalism, transforming its apparent harshness into an expression of refined beauty. Through meticulously orchestrated compositions, the photographer highlights the sculptural character of these structures, capturing their essence with a sensitivity that transcends the purely architectural. Through carefully staged scenes, Varga reveals an unexpected dialogue between the solidity of concrete and the subtlety of light, reclaiming Brutalism not merely as a construction language, but as an artistic manifestation of singular visual power.
Photos by Marietta Varga ©
Models: Anna Albert & Dávid Matécsa
Texts & Content Curation by
Felipe Rodríguez-Mattern
Hungarian photographer Marietta Varga has emerged as a distinctive voice on the contemporary scene, captivating critics with her ability to transform the everyday into visual narratives of deep emotional resonance. Her work is marked by meticulous compositions that fuse simplicity and balance, revealing a minimalist aesthetic that invites quiet contemplation.
Born in 1992, Varga completed her photography studies at the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design between 2013 and 2016, and she is currently based in London. Her series My Town, Siófok II reflects an intimate connection with her hometown of Siófok, located on the shores of Lake Balaton. Through her lens, Varga captures the essence of this environment, transforming ordinary scenes into images that evoke a profound sense of nostalgia.
"Critics have praised her ability to observe everyday moments from novel perspectives, presenting them in unconventional and decontextualized ways. Her meticulous attention to composition, color, and light lends her photographs a dreamlike quality, often imbued with a subtle sense of melancholy."
"In her series The Bright Shadow, Varga explores the interplay between light and shadow, crafting images that convey a sense of tranquility and introspection. Her ability to find beauty in simplicity, along with her focus on the serenity of natural light, has been highlighted as a defining element of her work."
Marietta Varga’s work stands out for its ability to transform the everyday into visual experiences that invite introspection, establishing her as an artist who redefines our perception of reality through her lens.
In this particular body of work, Raw Hill specifically positions Brutalist architecture as its backdrop. The geometric forms offered by this architectural expression allow for striking compositional exercises. Personally, I must admit that my eye perceives Brutalism as a reference to a decaying dystopian future, shaped by my own affinity for Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange. As a photographer, it will always remain a visual resource I actively seek out to create.
This series of photographs was taken at the National Theatre of Great Britain, the Barbican Estate, and the Alexandra Road Estate.
