By Theo Gould
Ana Paganini (Lisbon, 1995) started taking photographs at a young age, in honor of her father who was a documentary photographer. All of her work is a tribute to the past, by documenting life’s transience and the traces we leave behind. Ana considers herself an emotional documentarian.
From 2014 to 2018 Ana studied Documentary Filmmaking at the London College of Communication (University of the Arts London) and then went on to work as a set photographer for both theater companies and film productions.
Ana’s documentary projects focus mainly on the themes of personal and collective memory, identity, and cultural traditions. Ana’s project Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet, was shortlisted for the Best Photography Project of 2022 by the Sociedade Portuguesa de Autores.
Ana’s work extends from photojournalism to fashion. Her clientele includes ZEIT, The British Journal of Photography, Le Monde Diplomatique, Marie Claire France, Hermès, Fenwick, Soho House, Pfizer, and The Nature Journal, among others.
Ana collaborates with a range of cultural institutions such as The Aga Khan Foundation, The Casa de Mateus Foundation, The Broteria Cultural Center, The Ajuda National Palace, Melides Art, The Nadir Afonso Foundation, The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT), The Foundation of Fronteira and Alorna and The Goethe-Institut.
Ana is a member of Women Photograph since 2022.
In 2023 she was shortlisted for the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize that resulted in a group show at The National Portrait Gallery. Her work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in the UK, Germany, and Portugal.
- Público interview, April 2024
Collective Exhibitions
‘About Suffering They Were Never Wrong’, Hatton Gallery - Newcastle, 2024
Casa dos Cubos - Centro de Estudos em Fotografia de Tomar - Tomar, 2024
Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Award - The National Portrait Gallery - London, 2023
Lisbon Art Office - Lisbon, 2023
Galeria Santa Maria Maior, Lisbon, 2023
Der Grief - PAVILLON 333 - Pinakothek der Moderne, 2023
Colectivo 284 - Lisbon, 2022
Farnesina - Lisbon, 2022
Cabral Moncada Leilões - Lisbon, 2021
(Online) Espaço Cultural Mercês - Lisbon, 2020
Galeria Cossoul - Lisbon, 2019
Casa Independente - Lisbon, 2019
Base Lx - Forte Santo António da Barra - Estoril, 2018
University of St Andrews - St Andrews, 2017
Deleme Espaço Arte - Lisbon, 2017
Cobre Bar - Lisbon, 2016
While Away - LX Factory - Lisbon, 2016
The She Mouse Photo Event - Espaço João Sousa Valles - Lisbon, 2010
The She Mouse Photo Event - Lota de Cascais - Cascais, 2008
The She Mouse Photo Event - Junta de Freguesia do Estoril - Estoril, 2007
The She Mouse Photo Event - Estoril, 2004
Solo Exhibitions
Lx Lapa - Lisbon, 2022
Centro Cultural de Safara - Safara, 2019
The Portuguese Love Affair - London, 2017
Espaço Cultural Deleme - Lisbon, 2016
Rua da Emenda - Lisbon, 2013
Fundação da Casa de Mateus - Vila Real, 2007
Awards and Acknowledgments
Nominated for LOBA - Leica Oskar Barnack Award - 2024
1st Place - People’s Pick at the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Award - 2024
Shortlisted for the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Award - 2023
Shortlisted for Best Photography Project of 2022 - Sociedade Portuguesa de Autores
Shortlisted for Top 5 Best Photographers of 2020 - Clube de Criativos Portugal
Honourable Mention by Emma Lewis, Curator at Tate Modern - 2019
Talks
Casa dos Cubos - Centro de Estudos em Fotografia de Tomar - 2024
Mostra de Fotografia de Arroios - Projeção Emergentes - Lisboa, 2023
Friends in the Arts - Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation - Lisbon, 2022
As Mulheres Não Existem - RTP - (Radio), 2021
St Julian’s School - Carcavelos, 2021
Book Launches
A Panificadora de Vila Real de Nadir Afonso - Vila Real, 2022
AND - Annual 2022 - THEN THERE WAS US - Manchester, 2022
Velharias Morais - Lisbon PhotoBook Fair - Lisbon, 2021
Velharias Morais - Espaço Cultural Merces - Lisbon, 2021
AND - Annual 2019 - THEN THERE WAS US - Manchester, 2019
Janis e o Mar - Jardim Botânico de Lisboa - Lisbon, 2019
Janis e o Mar - Casa da Cultura Comporta - Comporta, 2019