It’s fascinating how a photograph captured in a split second can last a lifetime—or even a century.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
Photography and film are the art forms I’m most drawn to, using the lens to capture moments that might otherwise disappear. I focus on framing the overlooked and reinterpreting the familiar, creating images that both preserve time and offer a perspective uniquely my own.
Where do you find inspiration?I get my inspiration from music, film, and painting, grounded in everyday life—moments shaped by labor, care, and survival. I capture the construction worker at rest, the mother in motion, a gangster in front of a liquor store, and the unseen figure in the park. Influenced by cinematic storytelling and rhythm, I’m drawn to their honesty; these lives reveal quiet dignity and stories often overlooked.
What would you do with $25,000?I would use a portion of the money to improve my mother’s home, which she raised three children in. Over the years, the house has developed various maintenance issues, I would also set aside some of the funds for new camera equipment, allowing me to invest in my creative interests.
Vote for Samuel Molano to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like The People's Artist, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
