New York based photographer Phyllis Galembo has travelled between the Caribbean & West Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Sierra Leone) documenting the magnificent costumed world and rituals of The Masquerade. The male-dominated artform is used as a means to illicit awe, inspiration, fear, obedience or to mark momentous occasions such as death, coming of age etc.
We are able to take a glimpse into this visually charged and creative world through the art of whit and narrative that Galembo uses to frame her subjects.
Dressing in costume has a magical quality to it. It becomes a second skin that can free the human spirit allowing you to assume or project another reality; a notion that goes beyond cultural borders. Upon discovering her work, I felt a random connected disconnectedness apparent with the works of contemporary Swiss artist Olaf Breuning, Design/Art duo Vibskov Emenius to Bernhard Willhelm and as far reaching as Japanese fashion label Comme des Garçons.
About
Galembo teaches photography at the University of Albany (1978 – Present).
She has published various books including: Dressed for Thrills, 100 Years of Halloween Costumes and Masquerade (2002), Vodou: Visions and Voices of Haiti (1998), Aso-ebi, Cloth of the Family (1997), Divine Inspiration from Benin to Bahai (1993) and Pale Pink (1982).
Her work is available through Steven Kasher Gallery.
Story source: Kindly recommended by London-based artist, Valentin.
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