Contemporary Colombian Photography - March 2008            

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The Wivenhoe Encyclopedia

21st February - 22nd March 2008

A major international exhibition of contemporary photography and video work from Colombia opens in the University Gallery on 21 February – 22 March 2008 .    

A dynamic and thought-provoking exhibition, Once more, with feeling brings together the work of five Colombian artists whose photography references themes such as humour, identity and memory and identity - at both a universal level,as well as within the context of their own country. This exhibition includes the work of established artists Oscar Muňoz and Juan Manuel Echevarria, as well as the emerging talent of Milena Bollina, Maria Isobel Rueda and Juan Pablo Echavarría.  

Inevitably, when talking about photography in Colombia , the situation in which these artists produced their work is significant, the continual violence that has become part of everyday life in Colombia . Perhaps ironically, it is because of this aggression that a need to explore universal themes such as humour, identity and memory emerges; a need to adopt another language. Far removed from the photographs of violent acts seen repeatedly in the daily newspapers, those taken by the artists in this show create a space for play and inventiveness – a place for negotiation where other possibilities can rise to the surface.  

The work of Juan Manuel Echavarría shows us two parrots forced to share perch, who constantly argue, one trained to say ‘peace’, the other ‘war’. Oscar Muňoz (who gained huge recognition at Venice biennale last year) paints his self-portrait with exquisite skill using water on a hot pavement as his medium, and his work evaporates before he completes - and infuriatingly - he is forced to start again and again. Both works suggest the frustrations of living with violence as it continues without prospect of resolution.  

With youthful determination, Juan Pablo Echeverri concentrates on his himself and his own identity, as he starts the day by photographing himself in a local photo-booth, plotting his ever-changing image and creating an extraordinary record of his own inventiveness.  

The University Gallery has joined forces with the University’s Collection of Latin American Art (UECLAA) to present a diverse programme of events to accompany this show -  including gallery tours, talks, film screenings and educational workshops for schools – please contact arts@essex.ac.uk or call 01206 873162 for further details.  

The University Gallery is open Monday – Friday 11 – 5pm and Saturday 1 – 4.30pm . Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Last updated:
02 March 2008