Your work is deeply connected to your place of origin, Mexico. What features and aspects do you aim to portray, especially the unexpected ones that deviate from stereotypical images of the country and its culture?

I always describe my work as a deep nostalgia for my past and the way I grew up in Oaxaca, surrounded by my grandmothers since I was a child. Since I was a child I remember my paternal grandmother braiding her hair, or my maternal grandmother wearing her typical clothing with different embroidery and ornamentation. I remember my neighbours and the people who said hello when I went to the market or to the parties in the small towns of Oaxaca. When I started photographing for magazines and brands, what I wanted to represent was those textures, those colours, those faces and those feelings in which I developed. I am always trying to connect all my projects with specific elements of my culture, from the use of a braid, artisanal elements, and flowers from Oaxaca, to the use of spaces that differ one metre of the house where I lived or where my loved ones lived. That is why I always talk about this tribute to my people and the way to honour my past and my stories through portraiture and fashion.

In your practice, what do you feel it’s important to have in mind when you portray people who have been underrepresented? Do you have any suggestions for other artists?

I believe that, similar to certain parts of the United States, a new wave is emerging in Latin America concerning the representation of Indigenous faces across various areas. My perspective primarily focuses on representation here in southern Mexico, where Indigenous roots are more prevalent. This holds particular significance as my own identity is closely intertwined with this notion. Growing up and beginning in Oaxaca, I entered the world of fashion and portrait photography at the age of 23. At that time, these faces were not as visible as they are today, and I felt the need to portray them. Photographing these people became a process of discovering and understanding my identity, history, heritage, and the richness we receive from these roots that often go unacknowledged or remain hidden. This narrative of visibility is something that inspires and motivates my creative vision. By photographing underrepresented voices, we help to transform perspectives and ensure these stories are highlighted and told.

source: PhotoVogue / 2024 / by Caterina de Biasio