An ode to the Port-Louis market
From the very first glance, Leech captivates audiences with her adept use of shadows. These shadows dance and whisper, creating a visual choreography that highlights the market's raw essence. The vendors' faces, sculpted by the sepulchral light, tell silent stories—sometimes vibrant, sometimes nostalgic.
Leech's artistic prowess comes to the forefront through her skillful manipulation of scale. Each photograph invites viewers to plunge into the market's intimacy, revealing stories woven within its stalls. From detailed shots of merchandise to panoramic views, every image is meticulously composed, offering a complete immersion into the market's universe.
The photographs in "Shadows and Scale," with their simplified yet cinematic beauty, capture stolen moments in the flow of time. We feel the market's heartbeat, the emotions of the butchers, and the vitality pulsing through each black-and-white pixel. The absence of color doesn't constrain but rather amplifies the raw emotion emanating from each image.
The artist
Elizabeth Leech, an English photographer who has called Mauritius home for a decade, seamlessly integrates her global experiences into her artistic journey. Initially documenting family life and adventures worldwide, her photography has evolved into a profound form of creative expression. Rooted in the timeless nature of black and white, Leech's work reflects a captivating fascination with exotic landscapes discovered during her travels, influenced by her collaboration with humanitarian photographer David DuChemin in Rajasthan.
Her diverse portfolio draws on various creative techniques—Intentional Camera Movement (ICM), multiple exposures, and blending—to craft expressive, meaningful images. Leech's adaptability is evident, adjusting her approach based on the emotional resonance of each subject. She is drawn to the minimalist charm of landscapes, where form and line take center stage, while urban complexity finds its essence in the stark contrasts of black and white. With her, abstract imagery transforms into a playground where composition, texture, and color engage in a captivating dance for attention.
