“Figu”: A hundred views of one world

The world and the environment that surrounds us look have another perspective through the pictures of Carlos “Figu” Garcia, an independent Ecuadorian photographer that exposes the world and the environment through his pictures. Using just the lens of his camera, “Figu” has had the opportunity to unveil the marvellous world that is part of our day by day. Objects that we commonly use, signs that we may find in the corner of any street, insects, landscapes, architectural pieces shown in a clear wide range of colours or captured in abstract images evince his global concern of the current momentum of the world. His images go from beautiful countryside’s of Spain, to the problems with the environment and the means to protect it.

Carlos’ passion for art began since he was a little boy. Cameras and video cameras were familiar to him at a very early age and very soon he found his source of inspiration in the Ecuadorian countryside. He started his career as a photographer in Guayaquil; however, on September 2004, Carlos decided to move to Madrid-Spain –  to study two professional careers (a Professional Photography Course and a Digital Photography Course) to improve his photographer career.

Four years later, in 2008, Carlos launched his first photographic exposition in Madrid, which consisted in 15 pictures of countryside images and abstract creative photographs whose content leads to self-reflexion. In 2009, Carlos returned to Ecuador and in Guayaquil exposed a gallery of 20 pictures showing the Spanish countryside. Since his expositions really took off, Carlos, went back to Madrid in order to perform another display in 2010; however, this was a photo story of Thailand about their customs, food, life styles, religion, and more.

Finally, in 2011 with the assistance of the social network Facebook, Carlos performed the first online exposition with help of the artistic photographer Jose Maria “Chema” Gonzalez. The work of both photographers is a social conscience view on subjects such as the environment and the economy. Carlos says that the idea came to him during his travels when he found a sign saying: “Forbidden path for people – fine of 600€ to 6000€.” “Sadly this is the only way to protect the environment,” he said.

The event “La fotografia pide paso” was an innovating way to publish their work worldwide since people from all over the globe such as Argentina, Chile, United States, Germany, Belgium, Poland, France, among other countries, had the chance to attend their online exposition. The purpose of the event is to open a space in the world of art especially in Ecuador. Carlos believes that the artistic photographs of his country need a new perspective not only in photographs, but in paintings and music as well.

The event “La fotografia pide paso” is a movement that seeks to open its own expression and creates an alternative way to museums, galleries, and even to the government, so that they can open their doors to views of new art styles.

The photographer is preparing a new exposition scheduled for July. Carlos will present a compilation of the abstract images he has collected during the course of his photographic career, the images show the state of the world through pictures that use several elements, colours, and objects to further develop a global artistic conscience.