Ana Leal — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

Apr 30

Apr 30 Ana Leal

Biography

Brazilian photographer Ana Leal pursues themes of natural environment and contemplation in her artworks. Inspired by minimalism and the Concretism movement in Brazil, Leal pairs down her predominantly abstract photographs depicting stillness and structure. She uses both film and digital cameras to capture imagery she observes, stages or edits to invite the viewers into contemplation in the inner labyrinths of her subjects. She aims to capture the beauty of simplicity through abstraction or rendering subtle images that emphasize minutiae. Leal is a Gold Award winner on the 2020 Tokyo International Foto Awards and the 15th Julia Margaret Cameron Award Winner both in the abstract category. She also received an Honorable Mention on Prix de La Photographie Paris and on the 15th Pollux Awards as on Latin America 7.Her work has been exhibited across the United States and Brazil. She was nominated “Artist of the Future "by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine in 2020 and has been published at Envision Arts Magazine, Thought art Magazine, and Dodho Magazine. Leal (b. 1969, Brazil) currently works and lives in São Paulo, Brazil. She completed her MFA at Miami International University of Arts and Design (2018).

Artist Statement

In my work, I pursue themes of the natural environment and everyday life combined with issues that come from memories and the passage of time. Influenced by minimalism, I pair down abstract photographs depicting stillness and structure with fluid images that capture movement and sensations. I use both film and digital cameras to capture imagery that I observe, stage, or edit, hoping to encourage an introspective space for viewers to dive into the inner labyrinths of my subjects, and contemplate for a moment.

What first prompted you to think of becoming an artist?

I wanted to share my view of the world through photography.

What kind of an artist do you ultimately see yourself?

I am an artist who aims to encourage the audience to contemplate life in a deeper way.

What are you hoping to communicate to the viewer through your work?

I want my audience to learn how to find beauty in the smaller, simple things, either in our everyday lives or through observing nature.

Can you explain the process of creating your work?

My work, as mentioned before, pursues themes of natural environment and contemplation.I was very much influenced by minimalism and the Concretism movement in Brazil, so I pair down predominantly abstract photographs depicting stillness and structure. I use both film and digital cameras to capture imagery I observe, stage, or edit to invite my viewers into contemplation in the inner labyrinths my subjects. After the fase of capturing the images, I work a lot on post-production, creating digital collages.My aim is to capture the beauty of simplicity through abstraction or rendering subtle images that emphasize minutiae.

What is your favorite part of the creative process?

My favorite part of the process is capturing the images.

Can you give us an insight into current projects and inspiration, or what we can look forward to from you in the near future?

I’m working on two projects right now. One is about the Amazon Forest and the threats it’s been facing and I’m working on it since 2019. The other is about isolation and self-knowledge that I’ve been working on since the pandemic of Covid 19 started last year.

Website https://www.analealphotography.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/analealphoto/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/analealphoto