Maria Lourdes De Panbehchi

We are thrilled to partner with local artists to showcase their artwork at Swift Creek Mill Theatre. Artwork is hung on the walls of the Mill Room (our main dining room) and available for viewing and/or purchase by our patrons.

MARIA LOURDES DE PANBEHCHI (LULÚ)
PHOTOGRAPHER, IPHONEOGRAPHER

Online profile: http://about.me/luluee
Website: http://www.elenes.com
I was born in Guasave, in northwestern Mexico. I’m a Spanish adjunct instructor and a PhD candidate in Media, Art, & Text at Virginia Commonwealth University. My research focuses on smartphones and photography, and teaching foreign languages with technology.
PLAYING WITH DECOMPOSED FILM

I work with digital, mobile, cyanotype, and film photography. My analog tools are
an old Mamiya and plastic toy cameras, as well as decomposed film, which I alter with
water, household cleaning agents (vinegar, detergent), food, iron capsules, and
cyanotype solution. I have been working with this premise in mind, “If it is useful for
me, it may be good for my photos.” Something is “good” because it’s food I like,
because it’s a tool to create art, or because it’s something that I need to use in order to
be healthy or keep my surroundings clean.

There is a great amount of chance involved in the creation of these photographs,
because there is no way to know if all the frames will have the same colors, or if the
captured images will be visible. The resulting images are fragile sketches printed on a
medium of colors and texture. In some cases, the film treatment is so strong that it does
not allow the images to form, which instead yields abstract compositions.

The green/yellow photographs are part of a larger and more personal series
called “Iron and Irony.” As a recent breast cancer survivor, I need to keep my iron at an
ideal level, but I do not eat red meat. Therefore, I have to take iron supplements. Since
iron is useful for me, I decided to decompose the film with iron capsules and shoot
only iron details and women who, in my opinion, are spiritually or physically strong. See collection here.

Are you or someone you know an artist? Click here for more information on becoming a Featured Artist at Swift Creek Mill Theatre.