Etson Caminha
By Ruth McDougall
‘11th Asia Pacific Triennial’ August 2024
Etson Caminha
Born 1984, Lospalos, Lautem, Timor-Leste
Lives and works in Dili, Timor-Leste
Etson Caminha is an alumnus of the renowned Arte Moris Free Art School, established in Timor-Leste’s capital, Dili, following the violent Indonesian occupation of the country between 1975 and 1999. A student at the school from its inception in 2003, Caminha developed a distinguished, experimental sound practice at this time using, quite simply, whatever he had at hand.
Evolving over many years, Caminha’s practice is a form of living art, bringing together sound and visual art in dynamic performances. He nurtures a rich dialogue between Timorese musical traditions and contemporary art, sound and social engagement. Encompassing pedagogical, festival and performance projects, Caminha’s experimental and multidisciplinary creations express his response to the post-conflict context of Timor-Leste, which has struggled for independence twice in recent history — once from Portugal in 1975 and again in 2002 from Indonesia.
Views of video works (Sounds of nature 2022; LIAN UDAN akompanha ho LIAN SANAN RAI 2023 and Percussion with the twins 2023) by Etson Caminha, with his installation Roots of the Sounds 2024 seen at centre, installed at GOMA for the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial, November 2024 / Courtesy and © Etson Caminha / Photograph: J Ruckli, QAGOMA
Etson Caminha's Roots of the Sounds 2024, installed at GOMA for the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial, November 2024 / Mixed-media installation: buffalo skull, horn, synthetic polymer paint, metal, lakadou (bamboo instrument), sanen rai (clay pot) and tais (woven textiles) / Installed dimensions variable / Courtesy and © Etson Caminha / Photograph: J Ruckli, QAGOMA
