"Through the Lens of Empathy: Miguel Monti's Passage"

There’s a beauty in finding art in all forms and scenes and finding masterpieces in the monotony we call life. Miguel Monti possesses that ability in abundance. At the beginning of our conversation, he greeted me with such familiarity and joy that it immediately put me at ease to speak comfortably. Leaning back in his chair, he takes me to the beginning of his journey.

Born in Argentina, Monti moved with his family to Spain at the age of six. His mother was a doctor in Argentina and a professor at the university, so they lived in comfort in South America. Unfortunately, the family’s transition to Spain was not a smooth one. Upon their arrival in Spain, Miguel’s family faced economic hardship, when to their dismay, his mother would be unable to practice, so they had no job, which led to no income. During the difficult time his mother decided to practice yoga, she looked for many ways to find inner peace despite the turmoil. Monti closely watched his mother’s journey in searching for inner peace while finding his own by painting at a young age.

Monti recounts that the children were bullies when transitioning from Argentina to Spain. As a South American immigrant, they would often tell Monti he didn’t belong. But finding his strength while facing xenophobia at such a young age, he remained optimistic about a future with peace through art. Art was Monti’s solace. He made it known that he used it as a tool to bring light despite the darkness. He identified the darkness as ignorance at an early age, stating that it’s dangerous because it can keep you from learning your true self. His takeaway was that depression stems from society, materialism, family, but we can always turn inward to find that wisdom and inner peace.

When he was younger, Monti faced a lot of inner turmoil, often turning to drugs to find solace. Finally, he decided enough was enough. Moving to meditation, Monti chose to rely on spirituality, and to his surprise, he found that the practice of Zen significantly changed his perspective. The spirit of Zen showed him that everything is God and everything is expression. Every moment of painting brings him peace.

While he was able to expand his perspective, we see Miguel’s artistry evolve. A multifaceted artist who not only paints, he allows photography to develop his talents in telling the stories for those who may be unable to narrate their own lives. “I take photos of the homeless, to paint them” he told me while recounting the many lives he’s interacted with that no one else seems to see. “Yes, they are homeless, but they are people, and their stories need to be told. I want to show that these people are the same. They have the same energy and the same purpose. They are so full of love and strong presence, some people have a plethora of money but no soul.”

Inflamed with passion for the injustice of many who are often ignored, Monti resonated with them. He would often hold conversations with them and build a connection with them before finally capturing them on camera. Inspiration strikes Monti on a level that transcends the aesthetic; it’s not a mere surface-level portrait he aims to grasp but the soul's essence. Monti has moved with integrity in his life and artistry that shows his value of human life and his ability to honor others’ perspectives purely and respectfully.

Writing - Jomani Danielle @jomanidanielle