Dale Mateo

Light does not absolve.
It lingers, exposing what was never confessed.

Penitent Light, 2018 | Room 13

#Room13 #PhotoSeries #FaithAndDoubt #HumanFragility #ContemporaryPhotography

We often drift away. Some return. Some stay away.

Drift Away, 2026.
Collage on hard book-cover.
11.5 x 8.25 inches.

✅ Available. DM to purchase.

#analogcollage #artcollector #artforsale #contemporaryart #cutandpaste

A stack of old magazines is like paper gold. It’s a treasure hunt every time you flip through the pages.

Analog collage on hard book-cover.

#analogcollage #cutandpaste #collageart #collageartist #contemporaryart

Took this at an eerie abandoned house in Borrego Springs, CA.

No Escape, 2020.

Taken on Polaroid 600 film.

#polaroid #polaroidphotography #polaroid600 #contemporaryphotography #fineart

Will I make it back to East Jesus in 2026? I hope so. Who’s down for a road trip to the desert?

Untitled, East Jesus, 2022

#eastjesus #slabcity #contemporaryphotography #colorphotography #keepitweird

“When one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.”

Confession, 2023.

@leatherfacesmom.bsky.social

#polaroid #polaroid600 #polaroid600film #polaroidsx70 #brooklynfilmcamera

Check out these images from my series “East Jesus” that I’ve taken over the years.

You can see the complete series on my website. Link in bio. (DaleMateo.com)

#EastJesus #contemporaryphotography #colorphotography #slabcity #moodyphotography

No voice.
No sign.
Only the weight of being there.

A selection of images from my series - Valley of Shadows.

1. The Prophet Fell, 2024
2. Fragment of Sanctuary, 2015
3. The River Did Not Carry Them, 2023

#ValleyOfShadows #FaithInAbsence #HumanFragility #ContemporaryPhotography #SpiritualAbsence

A Polaroid of Megan taken at a small church in Borrego Springs.

#polaroid #polaroidbw #polaroidsx70 #polaroid600 #polaroidphotography

Reflected in Silence, 2023 | Valley of Shadows

Nothing speaks. Silence becomes a mirror.

#ValleyOfShadows #MinimalPoetry #ContemporaryPhotography #ArtPhotography #SpiritualVoid

The Howl is Silent, 2025 | Valley of Shadows

No answers. No witness.

#ValleyofShadows #SpiritualDesolation #ContemporaryPhotography #SilentLament #HumanFragility

Dissolving Faith, 2018 | Room 13

A quiet moment where belief quietly recedes.

#Room13 #DissolvingFaith #Isolation #HumanFragility #ContemporaryArt

A couple Polaroids from my 2023 shoot with Claire.

#Polaroid #polaroid600film #blackandwhitephotography #contemporaryphotography #polaroidphotography

Which one is your favorite: 1, 2, 3, or 4? 🖤

These are from a shoot from a few years ago with Melanie. I’m working on my next zine and want to include one of these. Let me know which one you like.

#contemporaryphotography #blackandwhitephotography #room13 #darkart #moodyart

These were taken in East Jesus, Slab City.

It’s a place that feels like the end of the road and the beginning of something else. I keep coming back, camera in hand, trying to understand why it feels like home.

#EastJesus #SlabCity #ContemporaryPhotography #ContemporaryArt #ColorPhotography

Silent Witness, 2025 | Valley of Shadows

The silence is empty. It’s complicit.

#ValleyOfShadows #contemporaryphotography #artphotography #fineart #artcollector

Her tears wash over her, but no cleansing comes.

Rinsed Away, 2018 | Room 13

#Room13 #ContemporaryPhotography #ContemporaryArt #FineArtPhotography #ArtCollector

Vanishing Presence, 2018 | Room 13

She is still here.
Just no longer available to you.

#Room13 #FineArtPhotography #ContemporaryArt #ContemporaryPhotography #ColorPhotography

A desert saint, crowned by faith, rust, and sunlight.

Untitled, East Jesus, 2025

#EastJesus #SlabCity #ColorPhotography #ContemporaryPhotography #FineArt

Ascending from Eden, 2016 | Eden Lost

We’re taught that exile is punishment.
But sometimes it’s liberation.

#EdenLost #ContemporaryPhotography #FineArt #ArtCollector #BWPhotography

Not every confession is spoken.

CONFESSION, 2023

Taken on a Polaroid SX-70 camera that has been converted to shoot 600 film.

#Polaroid #Polaroidsx70 #Polaroid600 #ContemporaryPhotography

Model: @leatherfacesmom.bsky.social

A Polaroid from a shoot I did back in 2023. Who else loves the look of Polaroids?

#polaroid #polaroid600 #polaroidsx70

REVELATIONS #2 is now available for pre-order on my website! 🔥 📸

I’m super proud of this zine and happy to be offering it as the follow up to #1. I’ll be offering it at a “pre-order” discount for one week.

I also still have copies of REVELATIONS #1 available.

Grab yours now. Link in bio.

I love letting you taste what you’ve been starving for.

Shot by: @dalemateoart.bsky.social

Full post on my IG: @mskalipha

Recent photoshoot with @dalemateoart.bsky.social was 🔥🔥🔥

‘BEYOND FLESH’
2025.

#photomontage #collage #art
#artist #photographer

Model: @leatherfacesmom.bsky.social

She dreams of salvation, but wakes to the weight of despair.

“FORLORN REVERIE" / 2023
From the series “Room 13”
© Dale Mateo

#photography
#fineartphotography
#art #artist

A Duotone Polaroid of Livie.

#polaroid #instantfilm #nudephotography #nudemodel #photograper #artist

Today’s #artjournal entry.

#artjournaling
#artjournalpage
#artist
#photographer