Robert Badillo
For the past seven years, South Florida photographer Roberto Badillo has made live music his primary subject, encapsulating artists’ raw power and emotion as it spills off the stage and onto his camera roll with the click of a button. But earlier this year, Badillo felt something was lacking. Noticing all the talented female musicians working in the region, he felt they (and lady rockers in general) weren’t getting enough attention.
“So I said, let me focus on the ones down here,” Badillo tells PureHoney. “Let me print them up and put them in a space where they can be seen, and you can see them in real life and experience them, and see who these women really are.”
With the blessing of Subculture Group restaurateur Vaughn Dugan and local mixed media artist Craig McInnis, Badillo got to work. The result is Women Who Rock, a photo portraiture series debuting at The Peach in West Palm Beach of 15 local badass women in music.
In a departure from his concert work, Badillo opted for composed studio pictures to portray their artistry and personality. But he still followed their cues: The stars of Women Who Rock appear in outfits they picked, hair they styled and makeup they applied.
The collection features musicians from up and down South Florida that Badillo has photographed often in concert. There’s Dani Sinatra of Elleinad; Tess Grey; Cassie Ortiz of The Flirt; Nic Huey; sisters Cristina and Alex Peck of Sandman Sleeps; Leah Simmons; Deja Elyze of Saint Lyra, Raquel Lily of Buko Boys; Niuvis Martin of Amenorrhea; Monica McGivern; Maitejosune Urrechaga of Pocket of Lollipops; Kenny Moe; Amanda Pasler of Ex Monarch; and Adi Elcida of Modern Mimes.
Badillo wants viewers to remember these artists indelibly and recognize them as the rock queens they are. “People are so used to seeing pictures on their phone or tablets, and it’s a quick swipe and it’s done with,” Badillo says. “We’ll see these beautiful women and see how they rock, you know?”
“Women Who Rock” opens 5pm Saturday November 9 with live musical performances at The Peach in West Palm Beach. Admission is free. thepeachwpb.com ~ Olivia Feldman
