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Gabriela Anaya
Valdepeña/Liar With A
Camera's photostream
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The Poetry of the Image
I was a poet long before I was a photographer. It may be no surprise, then, that my images can be seen as visual analogues of lyric or narrative poems, and this originating impulse may help to distinguish them from other forms of art photography. I am not engaged in a higher form of journalism, hoping to capture some truth of the contemporary world; nor am I focused primarily on the aesthetic surface of the image itself. My photographs may participate in these approaches, but they are driven primarily by the visual expression of character.
As a poet I am used to working alone, and this preference has extended into my photography. As a result, much of my work might be seen as self-portraiture, though I am less interested in revealing some truth about myself than in developing personae for which I serve only as a medium. It is simply convenient for me to be the director and the actress at the same time: I know exactly what I wish to express; I know what roles I am suited for; all the costumes at hand already fit me; and I work cheap. I do use other models at times, particularly those who are already hanging around the house, such as my husband, my daughter, or my two dogs, Pancho and Baudelaire. But again, I tend to use them as characters in my own creations, rather than try to capture their true essence, which I'm not sure I could do anyway!
For similar reasons I prefer to work at home when possible, and I rarely go out of my way to purchase a special prop. The objects I happen to own already have an expressive resonance, and can sometimes be put to unexpected ends. I have always admired the spirit of Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, in the old Andy Hardy movies, when they go ahead with what they have and put on a show in the old barn.
Recently I have begun to experiment with framing together my photographs and poetry. What interests me here is how the two art forms, when aligned in this way, participate in a true marriage, where the unity of the partners does not at the same time compromise their independent life. The poems here are not simply explanations of the photographs, any more than the photographs are simply illustrations of the poems.
I will have my way with my own image,
because I can,
because I'm not a man,
because you are only a man.
You can buy a frame.
You can pay to frame somebody.
But you can't frame
my reflection in the sea.
I am not a photographer, I am a liar with a camera.
I am not a diary, I am an alchemist with a word.
Gabriela Anaya Valdepeña/Liar With A Camera's favorite photos from other Flickr members (584)
Contacts (734)
Groups (4)
- Vampire_Luvers 956 photos, 270 members
- Atheism 4,374 photos, 924 members
- Secular Gays and Allies 36 photos, 32 members
- GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY 129 photos, 36 members
Testimonials (15)
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Leandro Pena says:
"GABRIELA = BELA"
1st April, 2009
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stephen_dedalus says:
"Gabriela is an intriguing and surprising character. This is a very dynamic and rewarding photostream for a number of reasons.
Underestimate her at your peril. She may be beautiful (she knows!), she may be capricious and mercurial (she exults in it), but she has a very sharp, incisive and subtle intellect. Be prepared to be challenged, maybe even humbled. If you have preconceptions, be ready to have them shredded, with a smile and a wink."20th March, 2009
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William J. Gibson says:
"aside from having the most clever name in flickr, her work is sly and delicious, always a rich treat for the eye and the heart"
15th September, 2008
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[Ligeia] says:
"For me it's difficult to start a testimonial about Gabriella. So many good things to say and not enough propper words to describe her. Every photo (or video ^^) is full of strenght, elegance, beauty and poetry.
She's living art. Never change dear."3rd August, 2008
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Bee Brady ♥ says:
"I always click on a new upload from Gabriella. She is intriguing, fiercely intelligent, beautiful, funny and so so talented. I much admire her fearless dedication to seeing the world without blinkers, her self-awareness and all seeing eyes. But mostly, I respect her and she inspires me. Today the deal was sealed with a shared appreciation and a tear for the man in black ; ) Lady, you are truly cool."
31st May, 2008
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Arty Smokes (deaf mute) says:
"If I could give Gabi a Diamond Award, I wouldn't."
15th April, 2008
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jack o'diamonds says:
"It doesn't matter how many times you watch her stunning photos and how long you stare at them, you'll never fail to be amazed. She's marvelous."
28th March, 2008
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Kalliope Amorphous says:
"It's time to write a testimonial when I find myself smitten by every creation an artist shares here on Flickr.
Evocative, creative, classic, feminine, poetic, whimsical and powerful are some adjectives that spring to mind while attempting to describe the work of Gabriela. In both poem and image, she takes the observer on a journey through and beyond the five senses.
It is always inspiring to witness the play of such a passionate and expressive soul, a rare breed in this time and place, and I am so happy to have waded my way through to this beauty-filled space."15th February, 2008
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van Rijn nudes says:
"What a rare talent. Each picture tells a story, each expression is loaded with meaning, each picture's composition is excellent. The combination of beauty, a true sexy quality, artisitc skill, a bit of acting talent all combined with poetry is just too good to get for free. But, we do.
Thank you Gabriela. Keep them coming."18th December, 2007
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mauriciolaya says:
"Gabriela es una fotógrafa y de eso no cabe duda, aunque sugiera que su misión es simplemente "liar con una cámara", cuando se detalla su trabajo, se percibe el sentimiento tras cada imagen y ese sentimiento es precisamente el que delata su condición de artista.
Es además una mujer valiente, que rompe los tabúes que impone la sociedad y se muestra ante "los machos" como ella es, entera, sin censuras, en la magnitud de su desnudez, de su belleza, de su sensualidad sin fronteras."3rd December, 2007
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Anima Fotografie says:
"Gabriela. Intelligence & Insight. Wit & Awareness. Self Portraits that Transfix. Words that drift down like healing rain at Sunset. A Muse that can Amuse & Arouse with her sublime play of image & word. Beauty that is Hypnotic. Erotic. Timeless. Priceless. You Challenge & Inspire. Maiden of Desire. Passion Incarnate. A unique Creativity given free reign here. Now. Discover somebody quite wonderful. This Liar with a Camera. Gabriela."
21st October, 2007
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metaa4 says:
"A tapestry of self, feeling, thought, poetry, theater, appreciation, humor, expression.
Generous like a ringing bell and with sly humor.
Sometimes I smile, sometimes I am provoked, sometimes I am allured, sometimes I am asked a question.
Delicious texture, I want to both look at it and run my hands over it."10th October, 2007
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Lucky in Love says:
"Gabriela is one of the best photo artists in the world.
Her photos reflect a rare genius mind, and an ironic and witty sensibility that makes you want to cheer out loud."5th October, 2007
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Lightbender says:
"You may have been lured here first by Gabriela’s physical beauty, but immerse yourself in her photostream and you will discover you’ve been admitted into the secret garden of a thrilling poet-artist sparking with primal compulsions. She channels the polymorphic Eternal Feminine with artful images composed by a libidinous third eye and verse like lucid dreaming. She is the fortunate author who can tap into the imagination and idioms of two languages, and into keen female sensitivities to emotional stress fields. The result, befitting her residency on the West Coast, is both oceanic and seismic. Oceanic as she beats the love-tossed spirit with cross-cut fluency, and seismic, as she registers fault zones deep within the psyche. Waft down her stream, but take time too to pull ashore, read her poetry, explore some of the side trails leading (from this page) to her influences. She is a Venus Naturalis, a sassy Latina, a pantomiming provocatrice, a poet of uncanny verse, and above all a woman who will enthrall you."
3rd October, 2007
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DayLove says:
"Though I stand tall and walk proud through a room
all that means nothing walking beside you
your talented and beautiful, your competition stands in awe
captivated by the photos and poems gathered in the hall
a note to all who gather here, voyeurism you seek
Gabriela's an artist of the highest class
SO WATCH NOW HOW YOU SPEAK"22nd August, 2007
- Joined:
- July 2005
- Occupation:
- Chronicler of angels and demons