The town of Agrigento in South-Western Sicily is a quiet and uneventful place. Walking around this hilly town at sunset, I came across this tiny alleyway that offered a beautiful, but peeping view of the sea through the dilapidated houses. A glimpse of this grandeur against the decay of these buildings took me by surprise. I particularly loved how the warmth of the streetlights beautifully complemented the cool hues of the sea and overcast sky.
What I saw in front of me was a frame of contrasting elements: of light and darkness, of might and fragility, of warmth and coolness; much like the life that we all experience.
It is observations like these that make otherwise mundane sights, magical. There is beauty and meaning to be found in the deepest and most hidden corners of our world - we just need to keep our eyes and hearts open, and our cameras ready :)
About the Artist: Sanqueira is a travel photographer who is currently based in the UAE.
Professionally, she is a clinical research scientist, but photography is a long-term passion she has been practicing for mental healing and to connect with her creative side. She is a strong believer in responsible and intentional traveling as a way to open one’s mind to the world’s beauty and diversity, and also as a means of self-empowerment, especially for women.
About the artwork: This image was curated by Dominique Weiss and Neal Gallery from over 200 entries to be part of the Neal SuperRare Space. The curation theme was “Non-Funged Moments” with a focus on classic photography, with minimal post processing and no photo-manipulation. The aim of this curation is to highlight the importance and power of lens-based art in documenting moments that are true and rare, as well as to celebrate the skill and presence of mind required to recognize and capture these authentic moments.
