Robertho Paredes is an award winning photographer born in Puerto Maldonado, Peru. His itinerary sets out from the Western fringe of the great Amazon rainforest. Trying to track his many travels over the world actually creates a pattern not unlike his own name signature!
Setting out from the Amazon – Madrid to Milano – Lima to Puerto Maldonado – a home under the clear sky of Tartu
Having cruised the seas, studied and worked his way around three continents – making many friends meanwhile – Robertho eventually turned his gaze back towards the Amazon. Trained in art, photography and ethnography, he returned to his birthplace to document the forest and those whose lives depend on it; the indigenous Amazonian peoples, including his own family members. The records of accumulated experience, shared by his relatives, reflect a culture of intimate awareness and care; substantial knowledge, invaluable to counter the threats of reckless exploitation.
To me, Rob’s itinerary is in so many aspects connected with water: with the grand rivers and oceans, with the icy, snow-covered seashore where we met in March, and the warm rain in the jungle. It makes me think of the inner ocean of our mother’s wombs, where we swim before being born to the world outside; of our body liquids connecting us with the ancient sea and with life itself…
I’d like to close with a quote from Robertho’s website – the words of indigenous artist Yesica Patiachi, speaking of the Amazon river:
“El río es parte del bosque, es ese río, el líquido que vemos. Parte del río está en los árboles. Hay que pensar que está también en sus venas, este líquido, que es el agua. La Amazonía es el espacio donde se genera este río volador.”
“The river is part of the forest, it is that river, the liquid that we see. Part of the river is in the trees. We must think that it is also in their veins, this liquid, which is water. The Amazon is the space where generates this flying river.”
After completing his Master’s degree in Folkloristics and Applied Heritage Studies at the University of Tartu in June 2024, Robertho is currently seeking ways contextualize his future research. His work can be followed at Monte Alto by Robertho Paredes.
Helena Hildur W. 