The Chronicle had a chat to photographer Felipe, who has moved to Raglan recently with his wife
I have admired your work and Chris Meeks gallery and so it is great to have made the connection now. Tell me how you came to reside in Raglan.
Long story short, my wife and I had been planning this for while, preparing ourselves and our son in all sense to come to Aotearoa. We shifted in 2018 and saw the country after hiring a camper van and travelling around. We stopped in Raglan for surfing and visiting our friends, afterwards, we fell in love by the lost paradise.
What is your background in terms of photography?
The first time I felt any interest in photography was when we got together at family parties and a great uncle used a projector to show old family slides on the wall. I was fascinated with that apparatus and with the memories kept inside.
When I was 18 I took a backpacking trip through South America and I carried a 35mm Olympus that I got from my mother. This trip was another milestone. I worked for several years as a cinematographer when I was enchanted to read about films, light set up theories and history of art. Since 2011 I’ve been working as a cinematographer and photographer for cinema productions and advertising. I recently completed my Master of Arts – Photography from Wintec.
You have an exhibition on the 4th Dec. Tell us about why you decided to exhibit what we can expect?
I’ve always believed that art must be shared with the public. Furthermore, the exhibition of this project in Whaingaroa is a sign of gratitude, reciprocity and sense of community that I have towards this place. Almost 90% of the images were conceived here so it is fair that the exhibition is shown in Raglan. I hope the audience goes to the exhibition with no expectations, however, through this project, I wished to reach an unseen and uncertain space. The pictures depict ‘alive places’ or ‘places in changing’, basically we are in constant change all the time, and this change is always followed by uncertainties.
How did you choose your local subjects and environments?
First I started doing scouting location through Raglan and surroundings. After coming across cinematographic places I decided to speak with the owners who, in the vast majority of times, perfectly aligned with the proposal of the scene I had thought. In addition, other characters happened due to convenience or profiles. But, carefully, all the scenes were directed, that’s why the photographic style is called Staged Photography.
Give us the details for the exhibition and how people can get in touch and view your work.
The opening exhibition will be on December 4th at 21 Cross St. at 5:30 pm. Twelve large prints will be displayed.
Contacts through email felipequeriquelli@gmail.com, some other works can be found in the website www.felipeaugusto.net.
