Rafael Pavarotti - Photographs London Wednesday, May 25, 2022 | Phillips

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  • 'As an Afro-Indigenous Brazilian photographer, my existence and work are already political.'
    —Rafael Pavarotti
    Brazilian artist Rafael Pavarotti (b. 1993) grew up in a small village near the Amazon rainforest before living in metropolises later in his life. His identity as Afro-Indigenous and his nomadic trajectory have profoundly impacted his visual narrative and personal engagement. This is reflected in his fashion photography, which he uses as a means to address socio-political issues. Originally published as part of the story ‘In the Mood for Nobility’ in Vogue Hommes, R€I$, the work offered here, presents a striking close up of a model in nobility-inspired fashion as a representation of ancestral origin, challenging the underrepresentation of black figures in both fashion and wider historical narratives. The title is formed by the Portuguese word for ‘king’ and multi-national currency symbols, linking his birthplace to the places he has been living more recently and merging the cultures that have influenced his life and work. The artist’s bold use of colour – the crisp white against the dark black and the dramatic pops of vibrant blue and red – and soft focus imbue the work with an otherworldly quality. Debuting at auction, Pavarotti has printed the image on offer in the largest size that it will ever be released, exclusively for ULTIMATE. 

    • Literature

      'In The Mood For Nobility', Vogue Hommes, Fall/Winter 2020, p. 168

ULTIMATE

39

R€I$

2020
Chromogenic print, mounted.
Image/Sheet: 135.4 x 124.5 cm (53 1/4 in. x 49 in.)
Frame: 137.5 x 128.5 cm (54 1/8 x 50 5/8 in.)

Signed in ink, printed title, date and 'unique' on a Certificate of Authenticity accompanying the work.

This work is number 1 from the edition of 1 and is unique in this size.

Full Cataloguing

Estimate
£15,000 - 20,000 

Sold for £27,720

Contact Specialist

Department Contacts 

Rachel Peart
Head of Department, London

RPeart@phillips.com

Yuka Yamaji
Head of Photographs, Europe

YYamaji@phillips.com

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+44 20 7318 4092

Photographs

London Auction 25 May 2022