DANIELA SZEOKE - EXPOSURE EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOWCASE
“Venezuela, Mi Patria Querida” is a series that explores the Venezuelan female identity through self-portrait photography. Using makeup, wigs, and masks, I transformed myself into different characters for each photo to reveal a different aspect of the Latin identity.
I captured these portraits in my living room during the 2020-21 lockdown. I used scrap fabrics and papers to construct many outfits, accessories, and masks. I limited my resources to materials that I could find around my house. Inspired by artists Signe Pierce and Cindy Sherman, I used unconventional colours and props to blur the line between the artificial and the real. While this process was challenging, it was also rewarding because it gave me time to connect with and consider the implications of each character. While some characters are Venezuelan pop culture icons, others are sombre reminders of the country’s current socio-political, economic, and environmental situation.
Over the years, the chaotic situation has forced my entire family to flee from Venezuela and spread out over different continents. My parents fled to Canada in 2001 when my mom was pregnant with me, and I was born in Calgary. Growing up in Canada I heard many stories about Venezuela and the family I never met, which compelled me to learn more about my identity. This desire inspired this self-portrait series, which is both an exploration of my cultural identity and a commentary on Venezuela’s complex situation. I hope this series encourages viewers to continue learning about the Venezuelan culture and current situation.
BIOGRAPHY
My name is Daniela Szeőke, and I am a Venezuelan-Hungarian-Canadian artist with Indigenous background. At the core, my work is about multiculturalism and the representation of minority groups. Through various mediums, I celebrate culture while discussing more complex topics such as cultural identity, politics, sexism, racism, and environmentalism.
My cultural background and family are the primary sources of my artistic inspiration. I began expressing my love for my culture through photography from a very young age. When I was 12, I picked up my dad’s camera and began taking photos of Latin people, architecture, colourful objects, and nature. At the age of 19, I am exploring my identity as a young Latina woman through self-portrait photography.
Being primarily self-taught, I created my own photographic approach over the years. My process begins before I pick up the camera and involves hours of research, makeup, hairstyling, costume designing, and set preparation. Similar to how I would consider every element in a drawing, I consider every element within my photographs. There is an aesthetic and conceptual intention behind every pose, prop, and background element.
Though I prepare for my self-portraits, I never know how they are going to turn out. I am constantly exploring different compositions, facial expressions, and lighting set-ups. Since I have a lot to explore with photography, I took my first course at AUArts this year. Ultimately, my goal is to find new ways to celebrate my multicultural heritage and highlight the less-known aspects of my culture.
