5 Things We Learned... Sabela Peinado
SABELA PEINADO, PHOTOGRAPHER
LONDON, UK
With a firm interest in psychology, Galician-born photographer Sabela Peinado explores human interaction through the digital worlds of VR and social media. She captures the streets and raw, intimate settings of London in an ongoing intent to show life as it is. Sabela teaches Photography & Creative Direction at Ravensbourne University while she continues to collaborate closely with the charity Accumulate - empowering homeless people through creativity.
Here are 5 Things We Learned about Sabela.
What made you...you?
Well, I am a Pisces sun, Cancer moon, and Libra rising. I’d also say I’m an ambivert female poet, white/other creative Celtic gypsy with a fling for photographic image. However, in order to maintain sanity, and for the sake of this interview, I grant my birth chart the power to define me.
When are you happiest?
It’s very simple: I’m happiest when I’m surrounded by people, observing and listening. Also, when I’m performing, when I find art that fascinates and excites me, when I’m stroking cats, when it’s sunny and I’m walking down Deptford High Street with a film camera in my hand, when I’m stimulated, when I can feel that I’m feeling.
Would you rather have a muse or be a muse?
I would want to ‘amuse’. Amuse as many people as I can, so I guess both things are appealing. To be a muse for others would mean I’m inspiring someone to create, which is wonderful. On the other hand, I think we should all embrace our inner muse and also listen to the band Muse. They’re great.
Who do you admire?
I probably admire too many people. I’ve always been into idolizing others (a worrying habit according to my therapist). I was that kind of teenager with music posters all over my walls, almost like a sanctuary towards those who could articulate my complex feelings through art and the lyrics of their songs or the scripts of their movies: Bowie, Sex Pistols, Poly Styrene, Kubrick, Pasolini, P.J. Harvey, Anna Mendieta, Silvia Plath, Jodorowsky, Jonathan Richman, Marina Abramović, Guerrilla Girls, and Godard. There’s a long list. Celebrities aside - and at risk of sounding like a Miss Universe Awardee - I admire those who have the courage to fight for a sense of community and equality. Positive, optimistic, well-intentioned people who believe in change and who sacrifice their comfort for others.
What is important?
It’s important to see beyond fake concepts like being an adult or (making) money. To keep a certain degree of rawness and authenticity, in spite of living in an artificial reality. To not follow all the rules, or at least question them and understand who made them up and why. To not allow injustice and cruelty if it’s in your reach to do so. To embrace what you like, who you like, and what you are like. To not forget kindness and empathy - to use this as a motor through life - just because there are not enough people who do. And to learn: too always keep learning and playing.
Check out Sabela’s work here and on her Instagram.
All images provided by Sabela Peinado. Don’t miss her work at Montcalm East.