Francis Augusto

GHOST NOTES

Commissioned by FORMAT Festival, Deda and Derby QUAD for "Dancing Through Time," Ghost Notes examines how punk culture endures in Derby as both historical movement and living force. Through stills and audio art, the project documents punk's evolution across generations while maintaining its DIY ethos. By focusing on figures like Maggie, who fostered creativity, and Joey, who carries the torch forward, it reveals punk as a complex social ecosystem where people create meaning through shared practices and spaces that have shaped Derby's identity for nearly fifty years.

SONGS OF LOVE AND LOSS

Love and loss, universal experiences transcending cultural, religious, and sexual boundaries, are often overlooked despite their profound impact. ‘Songs of Love and Loss’ explores the intricate facets of romantic interaction. These poignant artworks invite the viewer into a gallery of emotions, capturing moments of romance, tenderness, and tension. Moments that provoke reflection. This series encourages the audience to connect and maybe find solace in the shared understanding that love is a transformative force, capable of healing and heartache.

ODE TO IDRA

“Ode to Idra” is a visual love letter chronicling my metamorphic experience on the bewitching Greek island during my first artist residency. Far from my daily grind, I found liberation and introspection amidst Idra's mesmerising colours and sounds. This series celebrates the power of travel, the bonds we forge, and the personal growth that follows. Each piece captures treasured memories and the island's profound impact on my creative and personal life. "Ode to Idra" expresses gratitude for the priceless lessons and experiences gained, reminding us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace inspiration.

NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL

My documentation of Notting Hill Carnival captures a celebration that transforms London's streets into a vibrant expression of Caribbean heritage, culture and resilience. From my early journeys as a teenager from Mitcham to my current role as an observer, I've witnessed how this cultural phenomenon breaks through urban anonymity with sensory intensity – throbbing bass, aromatic food, and bodies moving as one. Carnival reimagines public space, blurring boundaries between performer and audience. In these fleeting moments of collective joy against the backdrop of West London's stark economic disparities, I explore how this shared ritual simultaneously masks and highlights social inequalities while constructing meaning and maintaining cultural continuity.

FŪRO

In collaboration with stylist Ania Egan, Furō is an artistic manifestation of experimenting with refinement. The series of images takes inspiration from the Japanese word Furō in observing the flow of the body and colour. To me, betterment is understanding where you are now, the flaws and skills, and creating a plan to improve or explore the endless versions of yourself. Refinement, for me, ultimately is a joyous "grind." There's excitement in leaning into your weaknesses or experimenting with unknown methods.