The photographer GUSTAVO MORAES:
“My mission is to tell the stories of my people, to make them proud and to let the rest of the world see their strength and beauty.”
“Social transformation motivates me. I want to give back to my community and to other communities.”
“I came to Beija-Flor when I was 16 years old. My friends told me about this place where I could learn capoeira and break dance. When I came here, I started with guitar-lessons, capoeira and drumming. For two years I went to Beija-Flor twice a week together with my friends. The cultural activities here at Beija-Flor are very important. Culture opens your perspectives. It allows you to see life in a different way. You see beauty in new places. Art opens up. Art is a way of expressing yourself. I got self-confidence and learnt to express myself in various artistic ways. Everybody needs a means to express themselves. Some of my friends from Beija-Flor are professional musicians today.
“The world opened up for me when I joined a photography class.”
I have always been fascinated by photography. My mother introduced me to it. She had a camera and loved to take family photos. We would take photos together. My dream to become a photographer, I got from my mother, but in Beija-Flor, I discovered that it was possible to pursue my dream and make it a profession. I applied to the University and got a scholarship to study photography. I graduated in 2016. My first job as a photographer was during the soccer world cup here in Brazil in 2014. Three months ago, I started working here at Beija-Flor.
“I want to tell stories through my photos. Photos are my expression.”
Cultural exposure is particularly important for my people. We are descendants from Africans and our culture is not valued. We need to strengthen our dignity and be proud of who we are as a people. We must be proud of our culture and our traditions.”
My mission is to tell the stories of my people, to make them proud and to let the rest of the world see our strength and beauty.”
Grieg Foundation has supported Rede Cultural Beija-Flor and Children at Risk Foundation since 2008. The interview with Gustavo was done by Ingvild Hestad during her visit to Sao Paolo in November 2021.
Photo: Gustavo Moraes