A restless, curious, analytical, observant, avant-garde, rebellious, non-conformist and ironic gaze, together with an unfathomable talent, catapulted Carlos Pérez Siquier to the highest pedestal of world artistic photography from the light, colour and forms of his beloved Almería.
His most personal and unknown side, in a kind of game that invites us to see Pérez Siquier’s gaze reflected in his most private sphere, is what Rodrigo Valero proposes in ‘Mirando a Carlos Pérez Siquier’, published by the Instituto de Estudios Almerienses (IEA) and which was presented this afternoon in the Patio de Luces de Diputación.
The event has been experienced as a celebration to praise the work and career of Carlos Pérez Siquier with the interventions of the deputy of Culture and Cinema, Almudena Morales; the director of the IEA, Mario Pulido; the author of the book, Rodrigo Valero and the UAL professor and photographer, Blas Fuentes, who led the presentation.
The launch of this book was attended by many well-known personalities from Almeria’s culture and society, as well as different authorities such as the mayoress of Almeria, María del Mar Vázquez; the delegate of the Government of the Junta in Almeria, Aránzazu Martín and the president of the Provincial Court, Luis Columna, among others.
The deputy for Culture and Cinema stressed that with this work, which joins the other publications that the Provincial Council has promoted on Carlos Pérez Siquier, «we continue to expand the knowledge and dissemination of one of the most important artists who has given our land in recent decades. Thanks to this book we will get to know the less public sphere of the author and, in addition, we will be enriched by the texts of more than 50 experts who value and describe the important contribution of Pérez Siquier to international culture and photography».
For his part, the author of the book thanked the IEA for its support in making this work a reality and, in particular, Carlos himself for opening his «heart» to this project and shared anecdotes and experiences alongside the person he considers his teacher because «it was an honour to portray him because he was not very prone to it, it was a wonderful experience with a person who exuded warmth and humanity. He was very close and approachable. He always supported me and listened to me and I will always carry that in my heart».
The event was attended by the Mayoress of Almería, María del Mar Vázquez, who recalled that «Pérez Siquier was the man who best knew how to see the light of Almería, and is an example of a great human and professional career, which earned him countless awards, including the Golden Shield of the City. This book makes his figure even more memorable».
Blas Fuentes stressed that «this work is full of portraits that ooze respect and admiration», and recalled the friendship and complicity that Carlos and Rodrigo maintained and highlighted the main milestones in Valero’s career.
A video was shown with an emotional message from Gloria, one of Carlos Pérez Siquier’s daughters, illustrated with the photographs that form part of the book. In this message, Gloria thanked the author, the Diputación and the IEA for carrying out this project and acknowledged that in each of the photos she sees «my father».
Looking at Carlos Pérez Siquier. Intimate diary of Rodrigo Valero’ is a photographic project that is the result of the friendship between Rodrigo Valero and Carlos Pérez Siquier over the last few years. Personal portraits that make up an intimate diary full of complicity and devotion as a teacher and as a friend.
An emotional project that has taken on greater consistency thanks to the texts that have been generously constructed and bequeathed by 50 magnificent collaborators. A tribute book that will bring us even closer to the most human profile of Carlos Pérez Siquier, one of the greatest and most exceptional photographers this medium has ever produced.