I came across this gallery, the Australian Centre for Photography in Paddington, Sydney by accident.
We where fortunate to view the photographs of Mexican artist, Dulce Pinzón showing in Gallery 3. She had photographed mainly Mexican migrant workers in New York. Each photograph depicted the person in their place of work dressed as a superhero. The caption described their superhero title, their actual name, place of origin, employment and the amount of money they send home to their families every month.
The superhero in each photograph has an expressionless face as though they are unaware of the camera. Other people starred straight into the camera unsmiling. The type of work each person was involved in varied from taxi driver, union organiser, waiter, courier to demolition worker. The superhero outfit seemed to relate to the employment. The suits where worn as clothing, as though hired or bought from a cheap $5 shop. There wasn’t the sleekness we associate superheros to. The faces painted matching the outfits. This added to the appeal and I’m sure was intentional.
These working women and men, as the title suggests, are superheros. All working hard in physically demanding employment to pay not only for their own necessities but to send money home to their families. They could be forgotten as they serve food to your table, deliver a parcel or work at the Laundromat washing clothes. These series of work does relate specifically to migrants working in North America. These themes could be conveyed to a developed country such as Australia.
On view until 10th of July.
No comments:
Post a Comment