A Journey Through Art: A Conversation with Nélia Dos Santos Azevedo
Nélia Dos Santos Azevedo has spent a lifetime exploring the power of photography as a tool for storytelling, reflection, and connection.
With a unique background that intertwines African heritage and European identity, their work delves into themes of identity, memory, and social struggles. Recently awarded the Descubrimientos Prize at PHotoESPAÑA 2024, this rising talent is pushing the boundaries of both documentary and artistic photography. In this interview, Nélia shares insights into their creative journey offering a glimpse into the mind of an artist dedicated to capturing the human experience.
Q: How did you get started in the art world?
A: Throughout my life, observing and documenting my surroundings became a natural form of expression. I grew up in a cultural context quite different from what was considered "normal" in the 80s and 90s. My mother is African, but my skin has always been very fair, while my culture was deeply African. This duality inspired me to explore themes of identity, memory, and social struggles in my work.
Initially, I was drawn to photojournalism, but I soon realized its narrative limitations, leading me to connect more with non-documentary photography. I studied Photojournalism, where I learned about photography as a political tool, but my curiosity to expand my horizons took me to many places, opening the door to a more artistic world.
Recently, I completed the Master's in Photography from PHotoESPAÑA, which helped me find a balance between the documentary and the artistic, fusing these worlds in a unique way. This journey has been essential in understanding photography not only as a medium for documentation but as a vehicle to question, provoke, and transform our perception of reality.
Q: Who are your biggest inspirations or influences?
A: My influences are vast and diverse, ranging from photography and politics to music and literature. They’ve shaped how I perceive and practice photography, inspiring me to go beyond simple documentation to create images that foster awareness, respect, and dialogue—mostly within myself.
A few key figures include:
Malick Sidibé: His work in 1960s Mali showed me the importance of capturing vitality and identity within cultural contexts.
Viviane Sassen: Her approach to transcending the documentary through artistic exploration of light, form, and color encouraged me to experiment in more abstract ways.
Cesária Évora: The "barefoot diva" profoundly influenced how I approach African culture within the diaspora through her music.
Pepe Mujica: His simple way of life and commitment to social justice have been guiding principles for the ethics and values behind my work.
Pepetela: The Angolan writer’s critique of power structures and portrayal of social tensions has deeply influenced my exploration of identity, colonialism, and the struggles of communities.
There are many others, and I cherish them all for their contributions to my work.
Q: Is there a particular project you’d like to share with us?
A: One project very close to my heart is Marimbar. It has allowed me to connect deeply with my own story and, through it, with the stories of many others. This project explores the universality of our emotions and experiences, recognizing that we all share a common narrative, despite living in different contexts.
Marimbar was also the first project to receive formal recognition, winning the Descubrimientos Prize at PHotoESPAÑA 2024. This milestone, along with the press coverage it garnered, has been a significant boost for my career.
Another work I’m proud of is Cuello, part of my recent projects. It has been recognized in various competitions and was acquired by a private collector—an honor that signifies my work is being valued in the artistic world.
Q: What projects do you have coming up?
A: Projects often evolve organically, transforming into new explorations. Following Marimbar, I’ve started documenting the African diaspora between Angola and Brazil. Both countries share a profound heritage, and my intention is to explore how their stories intertwine in today’s cultural parallels.
Through traditions like Maracatú, capoeira, candomblé, samba, and more, I’ve been amazed at how these expressions interweave and evolve over time, keeping their roots alive while constantly reinventing themselves.
While in Brazil, I discovered the indigenous communities of the Northeast, whose history, resistance, connection to nature, and sustainability practices have fascinated me. Their rituals and ancestral wisdom, often overlooked in Europe, are a profound lesson in resilience and harmony with the environment.
Q: What is your creative process like?
A: Photography has always been my way of connecting with the world, particularly with people. As a shy person, the camera isn’t just a technical tool for me—it’s a bridge to approach others and listen to their stories.
My creative process is deeply emotional. Sometimes, I work almost instinctively, developing projects without even realizing it. Other times, a lingering idea grows into a necessity to turn that thought into something tangible.
Ultimately, my work is a reflection of who I am—a visual language that transforms my deepest thoughts and reflections into images that speak for themselves. Photography, in its essence, is an extension of my identity and experiences.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
A: I’d like to leave a reflection: artists are not born; they are made every day—not just through practice but through constant resistance to the world. It’s not an easy task, so I encourage everyone to support the artists in their lives. If you resonate with someone’s work, ask if it’s for sale. That small gesture can make a world of difference in their journey.
Thank you for supporting initiatives like this one, which give visibility to artists. We need more spaces like this to keep art accessible and thriving.
Marimbar, courtesy of the artist
Recuerdos Marginados, courtesy of the artist
