all images by Luis Branco
The last several weeks in Portugal have been a time for me to replenish and think things out. It is such a wonderful environment that Carolien and Ludger have created here at the Obras Artist Residency. My intention has been to “begin again” with a new body of performative photographs in the landscape in collaboration with Luis Branco and also to start a new abstract drawing practice based on the photographic works.
Luis and I had some previous discussions “about water” – doing something in the water. Coincidentally Cydney Payton, my Art Sister and Curator of All Things, had said something like – “Sherry you are always doing works on and about the land and the earth do something “about water.”
When I arrived here in the Alentejo in late September it had been one of the hottest driest summers ever in the Alentejo. The fires are burning north of here too. So finding water nearby was a bit of an issue.
We drove to Marvão, which is a spectacular walled city on a mountain north of here and close to the Spanish border. Friends Antonio and Fatima gave us instructions on where to go. It is a cooler climate than the Southern Alentejo, higher in elevation with more pine trees, amazing rock formations and much more moist and verdant. The Sever River / Rio Sever runs at the base of the mountain that Marvão sits atop of. There is a small town called Portagem that sits right along the river. We did a long photo shoot in the small river there. You see the Roman bridge in a few of the images. Here are a just few of those 600 images we made. They have not been corrected or chosen yet, but this gives a little glimpse of our work together. It has become even more collaborative in these new works -we riff on each other’s ideas and echo each other in a way and his eye, his framing and excellent photography takes the lead in these images.
There are many more images to edit and sort and more to make as well. Only one more week in Portugal for me.
Amazing!
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Thank you Jan, see you very soon!
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Looks terrific. Very promising. We’ve been hearing about the fires, glad you’re ok. Next you’ll be doing Fire! Love, Wendy
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Thanks Wendy. Yes the fires are north and west of here. It is a very similar climate to Northern California where the fires are. But the rain has started which is wonderful. Not sure I am ready for Fire yet! xo Sherry
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Hi Sherry,
Sure looks lovely where you are. I love the ones with the oval mirror, especially the close up one, where you only see the water in the mirror reflection.
So beautiful and poignant! Love seeing you in Portugal…
Lovedy
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Hi Lovedy – thank you for the comments, I appreciate them. I have hundreds of images to sort through….
hope to see you in Boulder or Denver soon. xo Sherry
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Beautiful images. I can’t wait to see the chosen ones! And am excited to have you back home soon.
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Thank you dear Stefanie! I will be back home soon (with lots more images). Get home the 27th late.
xoxoxoxo S
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I love them all, but at this moment (and the moments change, of course), I particularly like the one with the wet veil across your bowed head. It reminds me of a Caulbearer — right down to the hair which looks like veins — a baby born with a caul or “born behind the veil,” who in many societies, is said to be born with “the [second] sight.”
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Very cool, I have never heard of this Caulbearer… thank you dear Jennifer. beijos Sherry
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So fabulous, Sherry! Love seeing how your work transforms with water, and how it transforms you as subject … Beijos, Kirsten
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You got it right on Kirsten… Beijos Sherry
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Are these part of your rebirth? Wonderful. Love, Suzie
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Maybe? Thank you! Love, Sherry
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So great to catch up on your inspirational work. Love the new direction and looking forward to talking about it all in person.
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Vicki thank you, I miss you. I will be home soon, and I will miss you…. xo Sherry
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So great to see your new water series photos! You are following a tradition of artists who have focused on water and so connected with your previous work. Can’t wait to see the drawings! Good journey back to CO!
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Thank you Meredith. Just back from a great trip to Portugal and the Obras Artist Residencies and catching up. Hope to meet you sometime 🙂 Sherry
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