A showcase of Phyllis Galembo’s extraordinary photographs of the costume, ritual and traditions of masquerade MexicoPhyllis Galembo has travelled all over the globe to sites of ritual masquerade.
Establishing these connections is a hallmark of Galembo’s work..
While still pronounced in their personal identity, the subject’s intentions are rooted in the larger dynamics of religious, political and cultural affiliation.
Galembo highlights the creativity of the individuals morphing into a fantastical representation of themselves, having cobbled together materials gathered from the immediate environment to idealize their vision of mythical figures.
In her vibrant images, Galembo exposes an ornate code of political, artistic, theatrical, social and religious symbolism and commentary.
Attuned to a moment’s collision of past, present and future, Galembo finds the timeless elegance and dignity of her subjects.
Masking is a complex, mysterious, and profound tradition in which the participants transcend the physical world and enter the spiritual realm.
Using a direct, unaffected portrait style, Galembo captures her subjects informally posed but often strikingly attired in traditional or ritualistic dress.
In Africa, the Caribbean, and now Mexico, she captures cultural performances with a subterranean political edge.
A showcase of Phyllis Galembo’s extraordinary photographs of the costume, ritual and traditions of masquerade MexicoPhyllis Galembo has travelled all over the globe to sites of ritual masquerade
