honorable mention
Ricardo de Vicq de Cumptich brazil
title
Waternity
The apparent austerity and simplicity of this series of photographic images by Ricardo de Vicq is merely illusionary. These visual compositions hide something much more profound to the visceral explorer: symbols, archetypes and fundamental myths that surround human existence, stretching through centuries of history, spanning peoples and continents.
For us to enter into the narrative, the artist chose as the subject two elements: Woman and Water. Not by chance, the two greatest creative and transformative forces of Nature; two "maternities".
Without water there is no life, and without Woman, fertile cradle of our seed and bearer of our own continuation, none of us would be here.
In the same way that our history stems from and around Woman, it also springs from water. The first humans, the first towns, the first civilizations flourished in places where water was abundant.
Water and Woman; two sources, two females through which the miracle of life can take form.
Certainly we wrap ourselves up in meaning while we contemplate the photographs of the series. However, there is more to be seen and felt when we look at these images.
They also place us to face another feeling, instigating and obscure. Be it through fear, neglect or through the simple search for balance, it is human nature to confer both sides of all things. It is in this fashion that even icons of purity, within certain mythologies, become bearers of danger, destruction and death.
That which gives life can also take it. We are inadvertently attracted by the appeal and fascination of a formidable conundrum.
Something that touches each one in a distinct form, and awakens within us experiences that once slept, impressions, fears and joy inseparable from our own culture and existence.
Now in São Paulo since the 80’s, he has been running his own studio, doing his personal conceptual work, teaching photography at ESPM University in the 90’s and working for advertising, design as well as on editorials magazines.
His personal work in fine art, mainly with nudes and gardens, has been featured in exhibitions both nationally and internationally in locations including Los Angeles, Vermont, Paris, Florence, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The personal work is where he allows himself to be guided by emotion, replacing reason and somehow feelling in sync with his time.
His personal work was awarded with the cover of Graphis Photo Annual 1994 along with many other publications such as Graphis Photo, Graphis Nudes 3, B&W Special Issue 2008 (Merit Award in Portrait), 6th Black&White Spider Awards (Nominee in Still Life), 7th Black&White Spider Awards (Nominee in Nude) and ) and 8th Black&White Spider Awards (Nominee in Abstract and Nature).
In advertising, his work was awarded on Cannes Festival, N.Y. Festival, London International Advertising Awards, Luerzer’s Archive, Clio Awards, The Art Directors Club Inc., Graphis Advertising, Graphis, Alternative Photography, Conrado Wessel Foundation and Avon Colours, among others.
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entry description
WaternityThe apparent austerity and simplicity of this series of photographic images by Ricardo de Vicq is merely illusionary. These visual compositions hide something much more profound to the visceral explorer: symbols, archetypes and fundamental myths that surround human existence, stretching through centuries of history, spanning peoples and continents.
For us to enter into the narrative, the artist chose as the subject two elements: Woman and Water. Not by chance, the two greatest creative and transformative forces of Nature; two "maternities".
Without water there is no life, and without Woman, fertile cradle of our seed and bearer of our own continuation, none of us would be here.
In the same way that our history stems from and around Woman, it also springs from water. The first humans, the first towns, the first civilizations flourished in places where water was abundant.
Water and Woman; two sources, two females through which the miracle of life can take form.
Certainly we wrap ourselves up in meaning while we contemplate the photographs of the series. However, there is more to be seen and felt when we look at these images.
They also place us to face another feeling, instigating and obscure. Be it through fear, neglect or through the simple search for balance, it is human nature to confer both sides of all things. It is in this fashion that even icons of purity, within certain mythologies, become bearers of danger, destruction and death.
That which gives life can also take it. We are inadvertently attracted by the appeal and fascination of a formidable conundrum.
Something that touches each one in a distinct form, and awakens within us experiences that once slept, impressions, fears and joy inseparable from our own culture and existence.
about the photographer
Ricardo de Vicq de Cumptich’s career began in Rio de Janeiro in the 70’s where he shot artist portraits for the music industry.Now in São Paulo since the 80’s, he has been running his own studio, doing his personal conceptual work, teaching photography at ESPM University in the 90’s and working for advertising, design as well as on editorials magazines.
His personal work in fine art, mainly with nudes and gardens, has been featured in exhibitions both nationally and internationally in locations including Los Angeles, Vermont, Paris, Florence, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The personal work is where he allows himself to be guided by emotion, replacing reason and somehow feelling in sync with his time.
His personal work was awarded with the cover of Graphis Photo Annual 1994 along with many other publications such as Graphis Photo, Graphis Nudes 3, B&W Special Issue 2008 (Merit Award in Portrait), 6th Black&White Spider Awards (Nominee in Still Life), 7th Black&White Spider Awards (Nominee in Nude) and ) and 8th Black&White Spider Awards (Nominee in Abstract and Nature).
In advertising, his work was awarded on Cannes Festival, N.Y. Festival, London International Advertising Awards, Luerzer’s Archive, Clio Awards, The Art Directors Club Inc., Graphis Advertising, Graphis, Alternative Photography, Conrado Wessel Foundation and Avon Colours, among others.
back to gallery