honorable mention
Francisco Gomez de Villaboa united kingdom
title
Public Matter
for you, for they, for us.
let's talk,
let's call,
let's rise.
Today we are one.
Let's talk.”
These unedited images are a representation of society. I use different lighting techniques to isolate, mutilate and weaken the human body, in the same way that minds are every day; be it through racism, gender violence, individualism, addiction, disconnection or despair.
There are many topics that I address in my work, some of which are fed by my experiences as a camp queer person, and being told that my attraction and feelings towards other human beings could send me to Hell. Also, being a part of a societal and digital age that’s addicted to validation, success, fame and money, I see myself and my community falling into a cycle of drugs, sex and technology, in an attempt to balance out the emptiness and frustrations, as we start to realise that living in this world is far from easy.
That said, to end on a more positive, the world is more aware and curious than it has ever been. The internet and social media have given us space to bond with people miles away, and feel understood and loved. I think we are moving towards a more conscious and questioning society, and we should all support and nurture each other to keep on battling and eventually dismantling the white patriarchy.
Born Queer and the youngest of a big catholic family in Rota, Andalucia (South of Spain) in 1984. Since little I had a huge interest in art crafts which was not an option as a career. Eventually, I studied graphic design and work on press media for five years. When I saved money to buy a good camera and practice I moved to London in 2009 after the break out of the economic recession to grow and pursue my dream to be a photographer. In this journey about finding myself, my practice took me to capture quotidian moments, and everything that sorrows human behavior and its experiences. It is a projection of mental health, equality, and real-life that becomes surreal.
back to gallery
entry description
“There is a place,for you, for they, for us.
let's talk,
let's call,
let's rise.
Today we are one.
Let's talk.”
These unedited images are a representation of society. I use different lighting techniques to isolate, mutilate and weaken the human body, in the same way that minds are every day; be it through racism, gender violence, individualism, addiction, disconnection or despair.
There are many topics that I address in my work, some of which are fed by my experiences as a camp queer person, and being told that my attraction and feelings towards other human beings could send me to Hell. Also, being a part of a societal and digital age that’s addicted to validation, success, fame and money, I see myself and my community falling into a cycle of drugs, sex and technology, in an attempt to balance out the emptiness and frustrations, as we start to realise that living in this world is far from easy.
That said, to end on a more positive, the world is more aware and curious than it has ever been. The internet and social media have given us space to bond with people miles away, and feel understood and loved. I think we are moving towards a more conscious and questioning society, and we should all support and nurture each other to keep on battling and eventually dismantling the white patriarchy.
about the photographer
I am a self-taught Art-Based photographer and activist based in London. I am obsessed with humanity and its ups and downs - that is why I am driven to depict people, cultures, and matters in the need of representationBorn Queer and the youngest of a big catholic family in Rota, Andalucia (South of Spain) in 1984. Since little I had a huge interest in art crafts which was not an option as a career. Eventually, I studied graphic design and work on press media for five years. When I saved money to buy a good camera and practice I moved to London in 2009 after the break out of the economic recession to grow and pursue my dream to be a photographer. In this journey about finding myself, my practice took me to capture quotidian moments, and everything that sorrows human behavior and its experiences. It is a projection of mental health, equality, and real-life that becomes surreal.
back to gallery