Travel Documentary: SOUTH AMERICA
South America Population: 387.5 million — Languages: mainly Portuguese, Spanish, Indigenous
Design Category: Painting, Documentary Photography
Date: September 2014 – November 2014
Location: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina
I arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to stay with family in September 2014. This was my base while I ventured off for 3 months to explore the Brazilian islands of Ilha Grande and Florianopolis, mountain bike Death Road in Bolivia, climb the Andes to see Machu Picchu and discover the beautiful city of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
My trip to South America wasn’t just a backpacking adventure. It wasn’t just me dancing in the street, sinking one caipirinha after another. It wasn’t just me climbing mountains partially hung over. It was a journey of a lifetime.
My paintings and documentary photography are my visual representation of the energy I felt in these countries; the atmosphere, climate, landscape and culture.
Brazil – Exciting, Vibrant, Tropical
Brazil – Exciting, Vibrant, Tropical Brazil – Exciting, Vibrant, Tropical Brazil – Exciting, Vibrant, Tropical Brazil; the green curves symbolise the mountains off the coast of Rio and the pavement pattern along the beach of Ipanema and Copacabana. The blue colour represents the ocean and the dabs of scattered gold represent the energy and vibrance of the people.
Bolivia – Fascinating, Bizarre, Remote
Bolivia; pink represents the Cholitas, the women who carry their babies in bright pink merino wool shawls. The mountain peaks with golden haze symbolise high altitude and the dripping blood pattern represent the sad and often mysterious aspects of the culture.
Peru – Mountainous, Magnificent, Sacred
Peru; the mountains are painted in a shale grey colour representing the cold, rugged, volcanic rock terrain of the Andes Mountains. The golden peaks represent the religious sacredness of this region and the legends of the Inca Empire.
Argentina – Sophisticated, Sunny, Sparkling
Argentina; the composition of this painting focuses on the blue sky above the sparkling landscape. This shows how bright and vast Argentina feels. The twinkling surface represents the sophisticated city of Buenos Aires which architecturally resembles Paris, France.
