Giancarlo Shibayama
“ I traveled on an island ”
2017Excellence Award
ARTIST STATEMENT
I traveled on an island
This work is connected to my Japanese roots and identity. My ancestors immigrated to Peru at the beginning of the 20th century, after which their culture began to mix and blend with Peruvian traditions. To express how each of these identities contrast, I peeled a number of photos from old photo albums my family had kept and used the reverse side. In the remnants stuck to the backing I saw something — the shape (map) of an archipelago. This way, the work represents an entire image of the traditional cultures that are mixed together within me.
Entries form: Sixty nine Still images
Selecting judge: Alec Soth
Many artists run into intersections of images inherent to their locality and discover in them abstract ideas. But in this work, by including rich, mysterious photos, he leads the viewer to an even higher plane. And by mixing surrealistic images with snapshots from a heritage that transcends the cultures of Peru and Japan, he has produced a map of a brand new, creative identity.
PROFILE
Giancarlo Shibayama
Giancarlo Shibayama was born in Lima in 1979 and studied Communications at University of Lima obtaining a Bachelor Degree in Film (2007).
He worked as a photojournalist and photo editor at El Comercio newspaper for 10 years.
He After that he studied a Master of Contemporary Photography (Maldefoco) at Centro de la Imagen in Lima to dedicate a full time career in autor photography.
He is interested in exhibitions and publications as platforms for his projects.
2017Excellence Award