Gilleam Trapenberg

60 pages 23 x 27.7 cm Patabind 40 color plates - offset Design & co-editing by Koos Breen Photographs Gilleam Trapenberg Edition of 250 copies (signed and numbered)

Masculinity and Representation have long played a part in my work, since these are relevant themes that make up the social landscape in Curacao, an island in the Caribbean where I was born and raised. Curacao is an island of paradoxes. Where the cliche of macho-culture exists alongside strong, independent women and pink coloured skies. Big Papi is a visual research into the image culture of masculinity set against a sunset lit Caribbean landscape. A time of day in which borders are less defined.

The stereotypes and clichés associated with macho culture form the starting point for the work, as is the same with most of my former projects. Since the work is greatly personal I am aware that while I am looking critically at the subject matter I am also seducing and romanticising the subjects and landscapes I photograph.

These photographs were made in St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, St. Maarten and Curaçao between 2015 and 2017.