Exclusive: Lucas Cordeiro debuts his latest photographic series inspired by his childhood in Bahia
Lucas Cordeiro draws on happy memories of his childhood in Bahia for his latest series, being debuted on Nataal. The emerging Brazilian photographer and filmmaker aims to create Afro-centred work within which he can explore ideas around ancestry, religion and technology and imagine new possibilities. Currently based in São Paulo, Cordeiro is getting noticed for his warm and heartfelt image-making.
This body of work, entitled Tudo que vêm de nós (Everything that comes from us), introduces us to a series of tender characters – among them Plant-Woman; Pigeon-Man and Orisha-Woman – with each one representing a “manifestation of healing”. Here, the artist explains further.
“The narratives told through my photographs are manifestations of healing”
"I have listened and paid attention to spiritual things ever since my childhood. I was born in Bahia’s hinterlands and raised by a non-religious but very spiritual family. Today, much of my photography is about where I come from… Even though I’m not based there any more, I try to recreate a bit of this place I carry inside me wherever I am.
I remember whenever my Grandma Suia was photographed, she’d always pick a place in our backyard close to the plants. She enjoyed touching them and I've always thought a lot about her gentle touch, as if Grandma and the plants became a singular entity - Plant-Woman. It’s such a beautiful remembrance that leaves me in awe quite often and I can just be thankful for it.
Everything surrounding us is spiritual, but we're not meant to perceive it that way all the time, otherwise life in this earth would be impossible. My photography speaks of encounters, of allowing yourself to experience life through them. It is about accepting experiences with no intention of understanding them. These images all relate to each other to compose mythical forces, becomings and spiritualities.”