From Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 November 2022, TOPO hosted a photographic exhibition by Léo Sanches in its studio, Homesick Brasil (Le mal du pays – Nostalgie du Brésil). The title of Léo Sanches's photographic project refers to the sense of belonging to the country of origin that is deeply rooted in his integration process in Quebec.

Driven by the need to get closer to his roots, the artist met other people from Brazil in Montreal to discuss the ambivalent nostalgia inherent in immigration. It was in the midst of these friendly, informal encounters that this series of portraits and audio recordings was made, at a time when the fragility of social and family ties was being strongly felt. The Covid-19 pandemic, by disrupting the normal course of life, shattered routine and accentuated homesickness for many people.

This exhibition is the result of a research and creation residency supported by the Conseil des arts de Montréal's DémART programme, which aims to support the participation of diverse artists in arts organisations. During his residency, the artist was constantly confronted with the upheavals of Covid-19's schedule, and instructions to distance himself and isolate himself, while at the same time pursuing a personal photographic exploration aimed at developing his skills in photography, with a media perspective. Her encounters with other people of Brazilian origin have enriched her thinking on the subject of attachment, with its sometimes anecdotal references that recall the memorable and unalterable bond of life before, in another country.

As an immigrant, there's not a day that goes by when Leonardo Sanches doesn't feel something of the moments he spent living in his country of origin, while at the same time pursuing his path to integration as an audiovisual stage technician and father of a young family.

The series of seven photographs on display were accompanied by audio testimonials from interviews conducted during the photographic sessions.