honorable mention
Delphine Blast france
title
The flowers of the isthmus
As a central element of their identity, the use of their costume varies depending on the occasion: while it only shows the face during religious celebrations as a sign of respect and humility, it is worn inverted, carried backwards, during festive celebrations. Symbol of purity but also of fighting spirit, its use is sacred.
In order to pay tribute to the young generation of Zapotec women, Delphine Blast invited them to pose in a studio, on a colored background. She then decided to frame each portrait by a traditional Mexican oilcloth, making each photo unique, like the Zapoteque outfits, flamboyant and delicate at the same time.
Being a photographer for more than twelve years, she has covered various stories such as the maternal mortality in Ghana or the issue of climate change in Colombia. She now works for a wide variety of clients in France and abroad (including Oxfam International, National Geographic, Géo, Marie-Claire, Internazionale, etc.) while she keeps on working on personal projects that are meaningful to her.
Her last work about the issue of the new generation of Cholitas in Bolivia has been published in various magazines, received various awards and was published in a book, at the edition BESSARD, in 2018.
She is a member of the international network Women Photograph since 2018.
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entry description
In the isthmus of Tehuantepec, in southern Mexico, Zapotec women are known for their independence, strength and perseverance. Recognizable by their colorful traditional dress, the proud heritage of a civilization dating back almost two thousand years, the women of the Mexican isthmus have inspired many artists like Frida Kahlo and have gradually gained international fame.As a central element of their identity, the use of their costume varies depending on the occasion: while it only shows the face during religious celebrations as a sign of respect and humility, it is worn inverted, carried backwards, during festive celebrations. Symbol of purity but also of fighting spirit, its use is sacred.
In order to pay tribute to the young generation of Zapotec women, Delphine Blast invited them to pose in a studio, on a colored background. She then decided to frame each portrait by a traditional Mexican oilcloth, making each photo unique, like the Zapoteque outfits, flamboyant and delicate at the same time.
about the photographer
Delphine Blast is a French documentary and portrait photographer based in Paris. Her work draws primarily on an emotional response and engagement with her subjects. She focuses on the personal and private aspects of people’s lives and is motivated by a strong desire to get under the skin and straight to the heart of the stories that they strive to deal with.Being a photographer for more than twelve years, she has covered various stories such as the maternal mortality in Ghana or the issue of climate change in Colombia. She now works for a wide variety of clients in France and abroad (including Oxfam International, National Geographic, Géo, Marie-Claire, Internazionale, etc.) while she keeps on working on personal projects that are meaningful to her.
Her last work about the issue of the new generation of Cholitas in Bolivia has been published in various magazines, received various awards and was published in a book, at the edition BESSARD, in 2018.
She is a member of the international network Women Photograph since 2018.
back to gallery