The Photographer is Present

When I go back to my home town, Rio de Janeiro, I feel like I am in exile. In Austin, where I live, I sometimes feel like in Exile. I feel in exile in times and situations, not only in places. But don't we all? At this point in my life, I look back at this long journey that brought me here, and I understand that there's a long journey ahead. I know myself. I am getting closer to the center of my labyrinth, and feel stronger and satisfied about my decisions as an immigrant, a woman, and an artist. I am here now. I am present. In this series, which I shot with only a 50mm, the closest to my vision, I contemplate the adventure of my life. I was inspired by Marina Abramovic (a Serbian, like half of me, whose intensity I admire) and Francesca Woodman, who produced some of the most heart felt self-portraits I have seen. I print these photos large (20" and up), on the Hahnemühle German Etching paper, and I use a 3" off white matt. As I am inspired by Goya's colors and light, or Sargent's contrasts, I use frames which speak to the heaviness of the images.