Elsa Leydier’s (b. 1988) radiant, almost-psychedelic photographs present a fresh take on traditional photography. Her experimental approach blends image manipulation with documentary photography to create alternative views of emblematic subjects.
Living and working in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Elsa is interested in the representation of iconic territories and the visual narratives of exoticism in Latin America. The “postcard aesthetics” is her starting point for de-constructing dominant discourses and making clear the gap between stereotyped images and reality. Skeptic about photography as a conveyor of truth, Elsa mixes photography, collage and plastic interventions to reveal the hidden stories behind real places.
Elsa is an award-winning photographer and finalist of the 2018 HSBC Photography Prize. Her work has been exhibited in major photography festivals around the globe as well as featured in online and print publications.
[2015] Graduate from École Nationale Supérieure de la Photographie; Arles, France [2012] MA in Cinema and Audiovisual Studies, Université Lumière Lyon 2; Lyon, France [2010] BA in Japanese Language, Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3; Lyon, France
RESIDENCIES & AWARDS
[2018] Prix HSBC pour la Photographie 2018 - Finalist [2018] Residency in Hameau des Baux; Baux de Provence, France [2017] Residency at Alliance Française; Bogotá, Colombia [2016] Residency EAVerão, Parque Lage; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [2013] Olympus/ENSP Award - 1st Prize
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
[2018] “Plátanos con Platino”, Festival Circulation(s); Paris, France [2018] “Lucie Foundation Group Show”, Month of Photography LA; Los Angeles, USA [2017] “Plátanos con Platino”, Alliance Française de Bogotá; Bogotá, Colombia [2016] “Interstices”, Festival MAP Toulouse; Toulouse, France [2015] “Interstices”, Galerie Agnès b.; Paris, France
PHOTOBOOKS
[2015] “Esgotados”, Co-Edited with Le Magasin de Jouets, Arles [2014] “Alirandu”, Self-published, Arles
