SBF personal

The Wallisian is not only active in commissioned photography, but also realises his own free works, which are influenced by his own life story as a Wallisian with Portuguese roots. In these specially defined and temporally independent long-term projects, he finds access to people and stories that are often not in the focus of society and to everyday and inconspicuous topics. Rodrigues realises pictorial stories that respectfully approach those portrayed, always including enough space and dignity, and yet still provide a deep insight. His free works are regularly published or exhibited on various platforms. 

Pedro has already been a guest once in the SBF INFO of February 2020, when his just-published book "Jenseits des Anfangs" (Beyond the Beginning), which documented the life of the nuns in the convent of St. Ursula Brig, was presented. The editors talked to Pedro about this book and about his way of working in long-term projects.

How was the book received by the nuns? The reactions were mostly positive. For everyone involved, this project was a confrontation with the question of what the future of the convent looks like. This question was subliminally present among the sisters, but only became an issue through the book. The fact that the publication met with great, regional interest did not please everyone. With the pictures, which were realised for the first time by an outsider, all those involved first had to find a way of dealing with them. It was not my aim to show image pictures, but everyday situations that do justice to the monastery. 

How did this project come about? Through an editorial assignment. At the beginning, however, the aim of this project was not clear to me and there was a great deal of mistrust towards me. Nevertheless, this place triggered a great fascination in me and the curiosity to understand why and how such a life in the monastery goes on. But first I had to build up trust until I could move around the monastery alone and freely.

Are you currently working on other long-term projects? At the moment I am in the final phase of my work on the Gletsch settlement. I started the long-term project during my training on the subject of winter influences on the mountain settlement. The pictures will be shown as part of the group exhibition, Position Oberwallis 21.08. to 12.09.2021 in the Galerie Schützenlaube. Another exhibition is planned for 2022.

What questions do you explore in your own photographic works? Questions are, for example: What leads people to leave behind their origins and culture for a new future, new opportunities? When and where does home begin? What influence does religion have on our society today? In what way is the alpine landscape changing?

What is your working method in these projects? Time is important. That's why the form of long-term projects has proven itself to me. At the beginning I try to give the idea a chance. Then comes the research and the forms of implementation. I often start photographing or filming at a very early stage, weigh up whether a creative process will emerge from it, set goals and pursue them. If I get into a phase of frustration, I let the projects rest. With freelance work, I can determine the schedule myself.

I can also acquire orders from freelance work. In addition, I always gain experience through freelance projects, which I can incorporate into commissioned photography. It's a nice balance between commissioned photography and freelance work, which makes my everyday life as a photographer exciting and also provides the means to finance my life.

How do you get inspired? I get inspired by regularly consuming photographic media. I also regularly buy photo books, which I study. From these, I can create my own image implementations or find solutions for a project. In addition, I visit exhibitions, photo festivals, maintain a lively exchange with professional colleagues and participate in the pool. All these factors are a great source of inspiration for my work. They influence my creative process.

What will you be doing in 10 years? In the next few years I will be doing both freelance and commissioned work, and my first freelance project will be in Portugal. I will increasingly explore the multimedia level and work on maintaining the fascination and my interest in photography.

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