Brazilian photography captures Jamaicans

Scores of art enthusiasts were given a photographic trip to Brazil, the largest country on the South American continent.

Through the lens of noted Brazilian photographer Eduardo Garcia, they were exposed to various features of Brazilian society such as the sacredness of football, the agility of the afro-Brazilian art form Capoeira, and the breathtaking majesty of endless landscape.

The exhibition was mounted at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA), courtesy of the Embassy of Brazil, and was supported by representatives from the diplomatic community, which included His Excellency Alexandre Gueiros (Brazilian ambassador), Her Excellency Leonora Rueda (Mexican ambassador), His Excellency Mohinder Grover (Indian consul), His Excellency Chen Jinghua (Chinese ambassador), Honorary Consul Clelia Barreto de Hunter (Ecuador consul) and Ambassador Elinor Sherlock (Office of the Prime Minister).

The exhibition looked at Rio de Janiero in two phases: Rio de Janeiro as it is today, and the old Rio de Janeiro. With little adjustments from Photoshop, Garcia rescues the past known only through Rio de Janeiro's 20^th-century paintings and photogravures.

High-angle snapshot

Garcia has the ability to look at scenery which is part of his daily life without becoming accustomed to it. One of his works that best illustrates this was Piratinga Beach (2009), a high-angle snapshot of a single woman walking on two-toned winding sand. Even though millions of photographers have captured this beach scene, Garcia's work is distinct since it captures the dual colour of the sand.

Garcia also has a flair for encapsulating images that tell simple stories about a particular people, lifestyle, moments, and time. His work entitled Slum (2006) intimately captures the frontal architecture of one of Rio de Janeiro's residential slum buildings in a close-up photo. The viewer is given close access into the structure of the buildings which reveal broken glass, graffiti in a cramped space.

The viewer is also exposed to the glory of Brazilian football in a work entitled Soccer Maracana, a picturesque depiction of the largest soccer stadium in the world. His pictures also have a photographic energy that brings the picture to life.

"You don't get the feeling that you are looking at a photo. It's like you're looking at a television screen," said James Henry, third-year Bachelor of Fine Arts student at EMCVPA.

Garcia said that his technique leans more towards the conventional and he prefers natural lighting such as the sun. He shared that all prints were made with German fine art photo-rag paper which comprises cotton rag, and pigment ink from HP print. He prefers to capture a moment in its natural setting as one may never be able to record that moment again. "I don't take photos, I make photos. The image grabs me and I feel inspired."

When asked about art in Brazil, he said that like Jamaica, it is rapidly developing and is appreciated across the social-class spectrum.

Having exhibited in countries such as Portugal, Argentina, and Bolivia, Garcia says he is open to reviews and feels honoured when persons take the time to attend one of his exhibitions.

Garcia has impressed Jamaicans and members of the diplomatic corps, one of whom is Honorary Consul Clelia Barreto de Hunter.

"I am impressed by his creativity and the varying views of Rio de Janiero."

The Embassy of Brazil and the Edna Manley College are pleased that Jamaicans were given the opportunity to share in the culture and lifestyle of the Brazilian society through the lens of this brilliant photographer.

Brazilian photography captures Jamaicans