In her series the Argentinian photographer Carla Piacenza builds a warmly lit homage to her grandmother. Presented in a photobook that gathers pictures and recipes, Abuela Negra celebrates food making as a silent way to voice feelings. Her pictures have the smell of corn flour, jasmine trees and childhood memories.
“My grandma won’t overwhelm you with hugs and kisses, but she will always be waiting for you with some delicacy she cooked. Cooking is her way to show affection”.
Carla Piacenza photographs for the same reason her grandma cooks: to express what she can’t put into words. Her book is a blend of photographs, food and, naturally, a heap of love. For the series, Carla cooked with her grandmother and followed her around the house, sipping mate, noting down her recipes and crystallizing her ritual gestures in the silence of familiar love. Cooking together and photographing her, Carla entered the intimate universe of this strong woman, the tireless architect of Sunday family meals.
Images from “Abuela Negra” © Carla Piacenza
