When we decided to feature Nordic photography, we hadn’t yet selected the 10. In contrast to our feature our chosen submissions turned out to be mostly from countries in the southern hemisphere. Coincidentally this mix also reflects our A Visual Dialogue set between Brazil and Iceland with one photographer from Brazil and the other a Chinese artist living in Finland but temporarily in Iceland on an artist residency during the exchange.
The curation of the 10 is based on the submissions we receive. As always we aim to provide a platform for photographers to be acknowledged. In our selection we continue to present a global selection and invite you to stay curious and open-minded.
With each issue our reach extends to an increasing number of countries. In this issue we are showing work from photographers in Belgium, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, USA and Venezuela.
Venezuelan Yoel Acosta and American Tam Stockton reflect on philosophical questions; Yoel on the inevitability of death in Taxonomia while Tam emphasizes the potential for different perceptions and symbolizes unity and connection in Memories from Before the World Fell Apart.
In their autobiographical work GH, Gal and Hiroshima, artist duo Masina Pinheiro and Gal Cipreste navigate their difficult experiences due to their gender identity as youngsters growing up in Brazil. South African D.M. Terblanche seeks solace and confronts their post traumatic stress disorder using family members as muses as they reimagine the images in their head in the visual narrative Holyday.
Belgian Marie Dreezen and South African Sibusiso Bheka observe locations close to home. Marie photographs the deserted Belgian west coast after the vacation season ends in (Un)familiar Sands, while Sibusiso finds the beauty of his township Thokoza, in spite of its violent reputation, in Stop Nonsense.
By traveling through Ethiopia Maheder Haileselassie makes peace with her beloved but troubled country in A Pearl in a Phantom and in Mexican photographer Alejandra Leyva’s portrait of the Wixárikas, she seeks to shift the perception of these indigenous Mexican people by highlighting their rich cultural heritagein Los maestros del Kauyumari.
In her project Nowhere Land, Chinese photographer Jiatong Lu sheds light on the struggles faced by people afflicted with chronic Lyme disease in the United States.
Thai Piyanuch Puangpee playfully visualizes the dream of many Thai people of winning the lottery, which they see as their only chance for a better future in The Last Hope.
An artist's duty is rather to stay open-minded and in a state where he can receive information and inspiration. You always have to be ready for that little artistic Epiphany. Nick Cave
