autofiction • moving image
Statement
I explore personal narratives across a range of mediums, embracing interdisciplinary and experimental processes centered on moving images. I examine themes of memory, identity, and the body through a process I call ‘autobiographical archaeology’, in which I engage with various physical and symbolic materials from my past and present to envision future possibilities. By rescuing and recontextualizing these elements, I create pieces that reflect the complexities of my identity as an artist.
Bio
Pedro Mendes is a Brazilian-born visual artist based in Madrid. Through experimental cinema, video, and photography, he explores interdisciplinary practices focused on creating and repurposing still and moving images—such as archival footage, home videos, and photographs—to investigate the possibilities of auto-fiction and self-abstraction.
He holds an MA in Filmmaking from the University of Warwick/London Film School (UK, 2023) and a BA in Audiovisual Production from PUC-RS's School of Communication, Arts, and Design (Brazil, 2017), where he was the first student in his course to be awarded a research scholarship (CAPES-CNPQ).
Before establishing himself as a solo artist, Pedro pursued diverse creative endeavors, including running his own artistic studio focused on video and photography, and working as a film critic. Now, his work has been featured in exhibitions and festivals across Latin America, Europe and the United Kingdom.
In addition to his artistic practice, Pedro dedicates himself to research, writing, and translation. He also collaborates with his partner, Amanda Gatti in their itinerant project PÁR, a platform for critical and experimental practices across cinema and contemporary art.
C.V
Academic Education
MA in Filmmaking
London Film School/University of Warwick - London, UK (2023)
BA in Audiovisual Production: Film & Video
School of Communication, Arts & Design / PUC-RS, Brazil (2017)
Academic Research
Elements of Network Consumption: Mapping Characteristics of Regional Audiovisual Digital Platforms
PUC-RS, Brazil (2015)
Coordination by Prof. Dr. Roberto Tietzmann
Scholarship: FAPERGS (CAPES-CNPQ)
Further Education
2024 - Cinetrácts Animados, Elena Duque - Madrid, Spain
2023 - Film LAV S8MM #19 - Madrid, Spain
2019 - Larry Wilson's Screenwriting Workshop - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2019 - Creative Film Production, Cinemateca Capitólio - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2019 - Film Criticism, Cinemateca Capitólio - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2017 - Notions for writing Critical Essays, Cinemateca Capitólio - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2017 - Film Curation, Cinemateca Capitólio - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2016 - African Cinema, Cinemateca Capitólio - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2016 - Povera Animation, Casa Peirô - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2015 - Formatting Projects for Television, PUC-RS - Porto Alegre, Brazil
Selected Group Exhibitions | Screenings | Live Performances
2024 - Father & Sun, Intermediaciones - Medellín, Colombia
2024 - After Myself, BFI LFS Showcase - London, UK
2023 - Vanilla Underground: REDUX, Notodofilm Festival - Madrid, Spain
2021 - Yellow Cage, VI Mostra Sesc Cinema - Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
2021 - Yellow Cage, 14ª Mostra Play the Movie - Pernambuco, Brazil
2019 - Live Flesh, Ocidente - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2018 - Exhibition Jogos de Linguagem, Centro Municipal de Cultura - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2016 - Exhibition II Mostra E.F.A - Porto Alegre, Brazil
Facilitation | Curation | Mediation
2022 - Facilitator - Filmmaking Course, Wac Arts - London, UK
2021 - Facilitator - Virtual Workshop Introduction to the Cinematic Language, Maria Imaculada School - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2019 - Talk - Oscar na Cultura, Livraria Cultura - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2018 - Talk - Scenic Photography, Centro Municipal de Cultura - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2017 - Facilitator - Workshop Practical Screenwriting, Estúdio X - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2016 - Curator - Film Festival All Women in Cinema, Casa Peirô - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2016 - Facilitator - Workshop Cinema Between Wars, Casa Peirô - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2016 - Facilitator - Workshop Practical Screenwriting, Casa Peirô - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2014 - Facilitator - Workshop Practical Screenwriting, PUC-RS - Porto Alegre, Brazil
Publications | Writing
2017-2019 - Writer | 365 Filmes
Articles and film reviews for the biggest Brazilian website exclusively dedicated to cinema
2015 - Book "Anais do Intercom Rio 2015: XXXVIII Congresso Brasileiro de Ciências da Comunicação"
ISSN: 2175-4683
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Collective | Collaboration | Management
Since 2024 - Founding Member | PÁR
Itinerant project that creates platforms for critical and experimental practices in cinema & contemporary art
2017 - Creative Collaborator | GrupoJogo de Experimentação Cênica
Audiovisual for the theatre play "As Trevas Ridículas" (Goethe Institut - Porto Alegre, Brazil)
2016-2019 - Founding Member & Manager - Estúdio X, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Artistic venue focused on cinema & video
2016 - Collaborator - Casa Peirô, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Artistic venue focused on contemporary art practices
Prizes | Fundings & Grants
2016 - Prize II Mostra E.F.A - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2015 - Scholarship FAPERGS (CAPES-CNPQ)
Languages
Portuguese, English, Spanish