EFFEA Story: Bandia Ribeira

The EFFEA Residency “Ni un hogar sin lumbre…” (“Not a home without a fire…”) by photographer Bandia Ribeira is the culmination of a photographic project of the same name and its dissemination and public exhibition phase. The residency allowed Bandia to enter into a process of exchange of ideas and experiences in the panorama of the European photographic community.

The work began with an activity to present her project "Ni un hogar sin lumbre…" within the community where it was carried out. Bandia travelled to the province of Almería in southeastern Spain and organised a festive event in an open-air public square where she projected a slideshow of the photographs taken in the area since 2016. The community was invited and the evening began with a performance by two local musicians. The event was recorded on video and a small audiovisual piece was created.

“The bulk of the residency consisted of editing the photographs taken in Almería since 2016, with the long process of editing and reflection that this entails and, above all, decision-making. As the Mexican photographer Graciela Itúrbide says, this process is the second decisive moment of the photographic shot; it is a bit like the second moment of taking a photograph, a difficult process of selection, renunciation and detachment where some parts are discarded and others are selected so that they fit into a whole.”

Another essential part of the EFFEA Residency has been the design of the two exhibitions that Bandia will have this autumn at the Ffoco Festival in Galicia and the Bristol Photo Festival in England. Part of this work focused on the layout designs for the walls, the selection of materials and the production aspects.

Bandia has spent a part of the summer as an artist in residency at the Bristol Photo Festival studios in Bristol. During her stay, “I was able to share with a community of artists and organisers the progress, advances and questions I was having, as well as the details of designing and setting up the exhibition at the festival. In this aspect, the contact with the festival directors, Ben Thomas and Alejandro Acin has been crucial”. Appointments were made to the various professionals involved in the final production of the work and its preparation for the exhibition, including the framers and printers, with whom various technical aspects were discussed and agreed upon.

“The dialogue with the printer Tom Groves at Bread & Butter, was also enriching and he was also very helpful in aspects related to the layout design.” “I would also highlight the beginning of a conversation about the project with the director of Glaz Festival, Jean Christophe Gaudet, and the close cooperation with the Ffoco Festival in A Coruña.” An important part of the residency has been the elaboration of the exhibition proposal for this festival, which includes the design of the wall display, the preprinting work, and the design of the exhibition space.

“Other colleagues with whom I have had inspiring conversations and who have helped with their contributions during the Residency have been Michael Alberry, Lua Ribeira and Isaac Blease.”

"In conclusion, and at this very moment, I am materialising the two exhibitions that will take place this autumn in Galicia and England. It is a very special moment representing an achievement and a culmination of completed projects and that augurs the beginning of new possibilities. This artistic residency benefited me in multiple ways, providing the opportunity to disseminate my work, consolidate unfinished parts, exchange and meet other people from the European photography scene."

by Bandia Ribeira