Espinha (Spine) is a set of bones and cartilage that support the body. But it can also be used in reference to a structure, a basis for construction.

Shinji Nagabe's first exposition in Barcelona at Art Deal Project, Espinha is an invitation to visit the universe created by the Brazilian photographer, who grew up in a traditional Japanese family. Shinji's work has always been guided by these two cultures and by a mix of reality and fantasy. What can be observed in these photo series is a combination of formal, static poses evocating the Japanese pictorial universe with tropical colours and accessories, typical from Brazilian syncretistic worship.

Trained as a journalist, Shinji Nagabe was the winner of the 2016 Art Photo BCN award and, although he does not work in the field of photojournalism, Shinji makes an intriguing symbiosis between reality and fantasy. His pictures are the place where symbols of African candomble and Brazilian Carnival are combined in a typical Asian formality.

The series now presented at Art Deal Project were taken in five Brazilian states: Bahia, São Paulo, Pernambuco, Alagoas and Sergipe between 2015 and 2017.

Series presented: 

2015 - Itabaianhana - SE, children wear masks typical of Brazilian carnival, Saci masks (Brazilian folk figure) and masks of death.

2016 - Elevação (Elevation) - SE, children wear necklaces, ribbons and lace as references to candomblé, maracatu but also Portuguese shroud.

2016 - Respiração (Breathing) - SP, children in the neighbourhood of Cidade Tiradentes wear giant necklaces and coloured stockings, as if they were being swallowed by the big city and were suffocating.

2016 - Purificação (Purification) - BA / PE, residents on the banks of the São Francisco river are masked with plastic flowers. Plastic flower never dies. The river purifies and is called after the Saint.

2017 - Reflexão (Reflection) - BA, aluminium packaging covers people and places. Aluminium protects from heat and at the same time reflects heat. A reflection to look at us inwardly.

2017 - Imersão (Immersion) - AL (courtesy of Gávea Gallery), the series is a result of the Immersion program proposed by the Gallery. It was two weeks in five Alagoan cities. Since colonial era, the Alagoa state suffers much exploitation related to cultivation of sugar cane. The result of the series is a fanciful fable about an explorer coming from another continent that finds creatures covered with sugar and sugar packs.

EXHIBITIONS

• ARTPhotoBCN 17 (Espanha - Barcelona, 2017)
• FesOval de Fotografia de Tiradentes (Brasil – Tiradentes - 2017) • CICA Contemporary Photo ExhibiOon (Coreia do Sul - 2016)
• InterFoto 2016 (Brasil - Itu, 2016)
• ARTPhotoBCN 16 (España - Barcelona, 2016)
• Nuits Photographiques de Pierrevert (França – Pierrevert, 2016) • Biennale de Sertão (Brasil - Petrolina 2015)
• Fotoprojeccio (España - Barcelona, 2015)
• Imagens QUEER (Brasil- Belo Horizonte, 2015)
• Yosakoi Soran (Brasil - São Paulo, 2012)
• Povos de São Paulo (Brasil - São Paulo, 2004) 

AWARDS

• Prêmio Gávea de Fotografia – Programa Imersão (Brasil – Rio de Janeiro 2016 ) 

• Art Photo Bcn 2016 (España – Barcelona 2016 )