The Vision: A Cinematic Tableau

Suspended in the hazy endlessness of a mid-century summer, the Flamingo Kids series captures a tableau of youth and leisure. Drawing inspiration from the vivid, saturated palettes of the 1960s, Sebastian Mader explores the voyeuristic intimacy of a shared vacation—where every glance is a narrative in waiting.

The series occupies the dream-like space between reality and glamorous fantasy. Meticulously constructed to feel like a "raw snapshot," each work maintains the precision and high-contrast elegance of a high-fashion performance, whether viewed from a voyeuristic overhead perspective or within the dense, electric crowds of a beach entourage.

The Genesis: The Brooklyn Warehouse

The series originated in January 2012 in a cavernous Brooklyn warehouse during a winter snowstorm with the production of Flamingo Kids #1 and #2. To simulate a high-noon Mediterranean glow, Mader utilized an advanced traditional camera technique, capturing each scene in multiple segments. These were seamlessly stitched together to create expansive, large-scale landscapes that defy the physical constraints of the studio.

Following the success of these initial works, Mader was commissioned in 2013 to return to the same location to translate this aesthetic into a major campaign. The resulting work, Flamingo Kids #3, served as the lead campaign image. For over a decade, these three chapters represented the only works seen and published from the series.

The Archive: Chapters #4 & #5

While the first three chapters of Flamingo Kids defined a milestone era, the series extends beyond those initial editorial bounds. In 2026, the Studio premieres Flamingo Kids #4 and #5—two vital chapters captured during the original production but withheld from the initial release.

Previously held within the artist’s private archive, these unreleased works continue the cinematic exploration of the same timeless mid-century dreamscape. By making these works available for the first time, the Studio completes the principal narrative of the Flamingo Kids.

The Influence: Baron & Templer

The roots of this series lie in the creative peak of Interview Magazine (2008–2018). Under Editorial Director Fabien Baron and Creative Director Karl Templer, the magazine was redefined by a clean, distinctive, and sophisticated visual language.

Mader’s Flamingo Kids thrived in this environment, evolving Andy Warhol’s raw celebrity voyeurism into a sharp powerhouse of modern elegance. These works remain an archival record of that high-fashion pinnacle.

Studio Standard

• • Medium: Archival Pigment on Hahnemühle Fine Art Baryta
• • Presentation: Hand-signed and numbered on the front lower margin
• • Exclusivity: Limited Pooled Studio Editions