“Deep Gaze” by Miguel Veterano will be on display until November 1
Casa Manuel Teixeira Gomes, in Portimão, is hosting a unique underwater photography exhibition titled Olhar Profundo (Deep Gaze), by the photographer Miguel Veterano.
The exhibition brings together a collection of underwater images captured in various locations across mainland Portugal and the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores.
The photographs stand as a true testament to the richness of Portugal’s underwater heritage and are part of the artist’s extensive archive, built over several decades, with some images taken more than 20 years ago.
Many of the works were produced at a time when underwater photography relied on film. Each dive required absolute precision, technical expertise and considerable patience, as there were no second chances and no room for mistakes. The results could only be seen later, back on dry land, in a process very different from today’s almost instant methods.
“Deep Gaze” is not only a celebration of the beauty of the seabed, but also a testimony reflection of the technological evolution of photography. It serves as a reminder of the urgent need to preserve our rich natural heritage, which is so vulnerable to human activity.
This is the message that Miguel Veterano seeks to emphasise through this exhibition, which unites two of his passions: diving and photography.
“More than photographic records, these are testimonies to the richness and fragility of the underwater heritage of the River Arade, the mainland, and the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores. It is a legacy that belongs to all of us and deserves to be preserved,” he notes.
Born in Mexilhoeira Grande, Miguel Veterano first tried scuba diving at the age of 14 – an experience that cost him two eardrum ruptures. Later, at 18, he completed his diving course at CASA – Centro de Atividades Subaquáticas do Algarve, under the guidance of Alberto Machado, Mário Rui Sousa, and Remy Bongard. In the 1970s, he began experimenting with underwater photography using rudimentary equipment – both photographic and diving gear.
The exhibition is open for the public until November 1, and is free to attend, from Tuesday to Friday, between 10am and 12.30pm, and from 2pm to 5pm, or on Saturdays from 2pm to 5pm.
Article originally published on Barlavento.
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