Autograph’s Bindi Vora picks the projects and artists that made an impression on her.
During 2020, I had the pleasure and privilege of speaking with many artists across the world and hearing about the work they have been making. Despite all the challenges of the past year, a highlight for me was seeing work by photographers at five different portfolio review events – all held virtually, reaching a much broader constituency of artists than the traditional in-person reviews might have.
The conversations have been rich, the work diverse and the discussions challenging. Each of these moments forced me to consider why we as artists make work, what makes it important and - most enriching of all - what we hope audiences may take from our viewpoints and stories. Through these conversations I was struck by the number of projects that tackled important issues and narratives that have emerged as global concerns: climate change, migrant communities, exile, healthcare and witnessing violence. All of which resonate, and reflect, the impact of the global pandemic. These bodies of work shared a sensibility that made a profound impression, and I was captivated by the artist’s research, talent and future hopes for their works.
Below are just ten of the artists and their projects I wanted to bring your attention to. They are diverse in their subject matter, but all address issues that are pertinent to our life now.
Bindi Vora is an artist and curator, and Curatorial Project Manager at Autograph.
The reviews all took place virtually for a variety of programmes and festivals, by invitation from the below organisations. To read more about their individual projects and programmes follow the links below:
Photo España (Spain)
PhE Masters programme
Grain Photography (UK)
Portfolio Development Day
Futures Photography (Europe)
Creative Europe programme of the European Union
University of Westminster (UK)
MA Photography Art
Photoworks (UK)
For Propositions for Alternative Narratives
Are you an artist and thinking of doing a portfolio review? We recommend NoWahala Magazine’s guide on how to prepare for a portfolio review.
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Banner image: Paloma Tendero, On Mutability, Sequence [detail], 2020. © and courtesy the artist.
Portrait of Bindi Vora: Photograph by Laura Hensser for iheartwomen.co.uk
Images in slideshow: 1) Portrait of Maria das Graças and Delcilene. © Maria das Graças da Silva, Delcilene Gomes da Silva and Marilene Ribeiro 2016. 2) Portrait of João Evangelista (last shot). © João Evangelista do Espírito Santo and Marilene Ribeiro 2015. 3) Drowned Island. © Marilene Ribeiro 2016. 4) Portrait of Camila. © Camila Grzeca and Marilene Ribeiro 2016. 5) Portrait of Élio. © Élio Alves and Marilene Ribeiro 2016.
Images on page: 6-8) Mateo Arciniegas, from Olvido pa’ Recordar, ongoing. © and courtesy the artist. 9) Paloma Tendero, Veins, 2013. © and courtesy the artist. © and courtesy the artist. 10) Paloma Tendero, On Mutability, Sequence, 2020. © and courtesy the artist. 11) Paloma Tendero, On Mutability, 2020. © and courtesy the artist 12) Paloma Tendero. Flawed Beauty series 2016. © and courtesy the artist. 13) Paloma Tendero, On Mutability, B&W series, 2020. © and courtesy the artist. 14) Gisela Torres, REVERIE and SLUMBER, Film Still, 2020.