Contemporary Tribal Markings portrait seriesis a traveling exhibit and on-going collaborative effort between commercialphotographer Tony Cordoza and visual artist Gina Rivas-Velazquez. For many years both Tony and Ginahave independently enjoyed success as commercial artists in their respectivefields, but recently and even now as the recession looms, they were forced tore-examine the challenges in their approach to creating new work and exposingit to the world. Theirsolution: join forces, shine aspotlight on their skills and invite the public to take notice.
In April of 2010, Tony waspreparing to shoot a portrait series when his wife suggested that hecollaborate with her friend Gina, an artist who had just added “Face-Tag” bodyart to the list of services her company offers. Gina’s artwork is influenced by her rich Creole and Mexicanheritage, so after a brief discussion, a tribal theme for the series wasundisputed. She was to design acollection of tribal face art and Tony was to capture it as she brought it tolife.
Gina researched tribaldesigns from Africa, South America and Australia visualizing what her subjectswould look like. As the modelswere transformed, it was clear how each person brought something different tothe series. They became warriors, evoking inner grit and charm. Some snarled and growled at the lenswhile others simply stared. Forsome the experience was comical, for others it was cathartic. Each personbecame someone uninhibited and free from whom they usually are.
It isthis transformation - the process, which elevates these portraits to a newstatus. Tribes are based on ourrelationships, our lifestyles and the roles we play. Imagine that each tribal design is a representation of howyou identify yourself – perhaps as a parent, a student, an artist or adoctor. Contemporary Tribal Markings
In April of 2010, Tony waspreparing to shoot a portrait series when his wife suggested that hecollaborate with her friend Gina, an artist who had just added “Face-Tag” bodyart to the list of services her company offers. Gina’s artwork is influenced by her rich Creole and Mexicanheritage, so after a brief discussion, a tribal theme for the series wasundisputed. She was to design acollection of tribal face art and Tony was to capture it as she brought it tolife.
Gina researched tribaldesigns from Africa, South America and Australia visualizing what her subjectswould look like. As the modelswere transformed, it was clear how each person brought something different tothe series. They became warriors, evoking inner grit and charm. Some snarled and growled at the lenswhile others simply stared. Forsome the experience was comical, for others it was cathartic. Each personbecame someone uninhibited and free from whom they usually are.
It isthis transformation - the process, which elevates these portraits to a newstatus. Tribes are based on ourrelationships, our lifestyles and the roles we play. Imagine that each tribal design is a representation of howyou identify yourself – perhaps as a parent, a student, an artist or adoctor. Contemporary Tribal Markings
