Dominican Republic ambassador Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo is sharing a selection of his own photographs curated as “Stillness and Change: Korea.” The diplomat who is an experienced amateur photographer captured scenes life in Korea from day one of his arrival to Korea.
Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo has been the Dominican ambassador based in Seoul, South Korea since April 2021. He had arrived to Korea during the pandemic in December 2020.
The exhibition is open from 12 to 25 October 2024 at the Gallery Banditrazos in Seoul. He presents the contrasts between modern and traditional in Korea.
“For me, photography is a passion. I would gladly live as a photographer, but of course, I studied economics and I make a living as an ambassador. Photography for me is the one artistic ability that I have cultivated ever since I had my first photography course back in 1981,” Ambassador Cuello said during an interview with The Korea Times at the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Seoul.
“This selection of 46 pictures is a graphical depiction of how Korea has preserved its essential character despite the very rapid change that has taken place over the last two generations. You can see this in the preservation of traditional architecture that coexists with very modern architecture, in the behavior of people, their tolerance, their openness,” he explained.
The theme, “Stillness and Change”, encapsulates the idea that Korea’s enduring essence remains constant even amidst visible transformations. The ambassador praised Korea’s openness to diverse religions and viewpoints.
“Few countries are so open to different religions, different opinions, and this is really admirable. This stillness allows Koreans to continue interacting with each other despite the fact that someone can be Buddhist, Protestant, Catholic, or agnostic. The majority of people are agnostic, and yet you don’t see any kind of conflict unlike other places where these issues are more controversial,” he told the Korea Times reporter.
All photographs will be for sale, with the profits funding the extraordinary activities organized by the Association of Spouses of Ambassadors in Seoul (ASAS) for children living in Korean welfare centers.
“I am organizing the exhibition with a view to selling the pictures, and then all the profits will be donated as initial funding for the continuation of this extraordinary program of activities for children who cannot be with their parents,” the ambassador said.
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Korea Times
2 October 2024