Alida Rodrigues

I’m currently making collages using found postcards of women, children and at times couples from the 1800s. The images are then combined with botanical illustrations to become anonymous plant-like creatures, taking away the charm and delicacy of each image. I am particularly interested in exploring the hand-made by examining the relationships between the face, collage, botanical illustration, photography, and print. I believe the combination of these approaches allows for a sense of mystery.

The main source of inspiration has been rooted in the changing nature of identity; associating a portrait with a longing for perfection, and searching behind the mask of the subjects. Furthermore, I am interested in the historical position of the postcards, as a relic of the colonial period. By transforming the portraits with plant elements, I interfere and disrupt the narrative of the image, and its associated histories.