Photography as Protest: Hidden Layers (Visual Art)

Group Submission Type: Visual Art Exhibit

Description of Session

Concept: In the rich tapestry of life, I, Flavia S. Ramos-Mattoussi, a former writer and illustrator of children's books in my beloved Brazil, now embark on a profound journey of rediscovery through the lens of photography. As the sands of time gently drift, I feel an urgent call to rekindle the artist within me, expressing a yearning to blend into the world while revealing its hidden depths. My photographs dance with light, motion, and veiled expressions, capturing the complexities of identity and the struggles to retain a sense of self amidst diverse settings.

Style: My series showcases a blend of abstract and realistic images, double exposures, and dream-like captures, reflecting the myriad ways we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us. Photography becomes my protest, a potent medium to shed light on multiple perspectives beyond the mainstream, unveiling a symphony of unique viewpoints. I venture into various settings, capturing the essence of life in motion – people, buildings, traffic, parks, skies, and more.

Artist Statement:
Within the realms of Photography as Protest: Hidden Layers, I embark on a profound exploration of my myriad identities - artist, woman, mother, wife, multi-ethnic being, Brazilian-American immigrant, and citizen of the world. These identities extend beyond what meets the eye, delving into the tapestry of my life shaped by time and space. Some identities are inherent, while others are ascribed, bestowed upon me by a world in flux. I am a wanderer, shifting from a middle-class white woman in Brazil to a non-white immigrant in the United States, navigating the shifting tides of geopolitics.
Hidden Layers is a profound revelation, a yearning to hide the multiplicity of self, to merge into the shadows of anonymity, free from labels and constraints. Here, I lay bare the emotional baggage I carry, a collection of objects, artifacts, beliefs, and relationships, echoing the loneliness of embracing diversity. As a global citizen, I bask in the light of worldliness yet grapple with the burden of the metaphorical homelessness.
Through the lens of photography, I delve deep, uncovering the intricate layers of identity and memory that form our essence. By blending family photographs, artifacts, and my own artwork, I embark on a journey of self-discovery, a pilgrimage through the ethereal dance of double exposure and striking juxtapositions. The past and present intertwine, revealing profound associations and fresh insights into the world's enigmatic puzzle.
Hidden Layers beckons you to a world of questioning, a poignant exploration of identity, visibility, and the kaleidoscope of selves. Embracing multicultural, multilingual settings, I strive to illuminate the rich complexity of existence. Each photograph is a story, pondering the inequities in our diverse society, the inherent struggle for justice and liberty in a multiracial tapestry.
In Hidden Layers, I honor the multiplicity of selves within us all, embracing the nuances of our shared global community. Join me on this poetic voyage, as we celebrate the tapestry of life's Hidden Layers. Together, let us weave a symphony of understanding, bound by the threads of compassion, unity, and hope.

Sub Unit

• Pre-Conference Workshops, Book launches, and Visual Art Exhibits / Visual Art Exhibits

Chair

• Flavia S. Ramos-Mattoussi, Florida State University

Presenting author

• Susan Marie Iannuzzi, Independent Consultant

• Flavia S. Ramos-Mattoussi, Florida State University