#17 - Marcos Palhano
Tell us more about you..
My name is Marcos Palhano, from São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. I am a Technologist in Photography and currently studying to be a Technician in Photographic Processes at the Federal Institute of Technological Education - IFMA. I've lived in São Paulo for 11 years, working in third sector institutions, where I obtained my degree. To get rid of the rust, I went back to the classroom to be able to think about my postgraduate degree and trace my path in relation to photography. As a social educator I worked with children, adolescents and adults in situation of social vulnerability, and as an art educator, I developed art and photography workshops for children and young monitors linked to Casas de Culturas in São Paulo. I started photography in 2005, doing workshops and a complete course that included learning to manipulate films in a photo lab and then my passion for this art of developing and enlarging photos in the darkroom started. Between 2006 and 2008, I began to document one of the most significant manifestations of popular culture in São Luís, the Bumba-meu-boi. I have always seen my mother going out to see the groups in June, so I started to accompany her on these trips, and that's how my interest in documentary photography and fascination with visual anthropology began. Today, my line of imagery interests goes through photojournalism and documentary with emphasis on African and Afro-Maranhense and Brazilian religions. Also documenting the manifestations of popular culture in its most diverse forms. In March 2022, because of my partner, I ended up discovering the NFTs, this universe of multiple possibilities for my production, which until then was kind of down and unmotivated. It all started with a nomination for the Gambiarra Collective during a Twitter Spaces, a group of artists from various states, and they ended up giving me a sponsorship of 1 NEAR. With this amount I made my first mint at Mintbase, thus joining the Proced store, where I am still contributing and learning a lot about this crypto universe, web3, etc…I like freedom in photography, so I can produce whatever I like and believe in, whether in artistic, photojournalistic and photo-documentary photographs.
How do you describe your NFT Art?
I define my NFT art, as something in constant transformation and evolution, as well as the image in the first page that I produced from the photograph of my partner's face. Working with decomposition and finally getting the results that you saw.
Why did you choose this piece to show us?
I chose this image because it represents the strength of the black people, the strength of my ancestors and the strength of Afro-Brazilian cultures and religiosity.
Can you leave a message to collectors and other artists that are willing to connect with you?
I am open to discuss my work and to new experiences. Any information and learning that will enrich me, causing my transformation as a person is very welcome. For collectors who want to understand the Afro universe centred on my documentary work, I am always available. For artists, the more diversified and information exchange better.
