Made in Rice: Layers Still from the performance work “Made in Rice” 2021 © courtesy of Hien Hoang Image provided by PHotoESPAÑA

Written by Ashley Mercado

Photo Edited by Tania Flores

Copy Edited by Erin Pedigo

The PhotoEspaña Art Fair in Madrid, Spain, champions photographers from all over the world, honoring legends and showcasing up-and-coming talent. PhotoEspaña 2022 celebrates twenty-five years. The mixed levels of experience, exposure, and artistry creates excitement as each photographer tackles different themes and stylistic choices.

©Aleix Plademunt “Matter” image provided by PHotoESPAÑA

Aleix Plademunt questions the origins of mankind in his exhibition, Matter, where he presents black and white images. The world-traveling photographer’s black-and-white images fit his theme that the past shapes the present—we go back into the past to find our origins. Matter itself begins with tiny particles that, when joined together, create the universe in which we humans find refuge. Then, as humans we go through a life cycle that ultimately ends in death, only for matter to persist and welcome in the next human beings and the next, and so on. This exhibition asks us to pause and reflect on the daily cycles we have grown accustomed to. To look at our environment, our behavior, and our relationships.

©Maria Platero “Talent on board” image provided by PHotoESPAÑA

Talent on Board is an inspiring exhibition by Maria Platero, where she creatively showcases the talent that Spain’s people possess. It is an exhibition that emits pride and nationalism by representing scientists, musicians, and athletes. Platero shows there is no limit to the talent of the country’s people. The exhibition is a culmination of utter randomness with a sense of quirkiness and heart.

©Mounir Fatmi “The Blinding Light” courtesy of the artist image provided by PHotoESPAÑA

Lights or Shadows of what was and still is is an exhibition by twelve Lebanese artists grouped around the 1200 Collective of El Libano, who united after events in Lebanon including the 2020 Beirut port explosion. Lights or Shadows was made possible through a 2021 call for works dealing with the Arab world, organized by PhotoEspaña and Casa Árabe. Photographs of destroyed, old and tattered buildings comment on Lebanon’s condition, a cycle of seemingly never-ending tragedies, and are a cry for help.

Title: Bishan St., Singapore Name of Series: Midnight Sun Year: 2019 © courtesy: Carlos Alba image provided by PHotoESPAÑA

Hybrids. Forging new realities as counter-narrative features eclectic works by eleven artists who are part of the “Futures Photography” platform. The exhibition questions the relative stability of our ever-changing current reality. What is ‘wrong’ or ‘right’ culturally is now being reversed or changed by younger generations making their own rules for the collective to follow. Accustomed ways are no longer the social norm. The only question left to be answered is, “What is next?”

Javier Campano: Madrid, 1975. Fotografía b/n, 24 x 17.7 cm. Archivo Lafuente *image provided by* PHotoESPAÑA

Javier Campano. The Wandering Eye 1975-1987 is an exhibition of 150 black-and- white images by highly accomplished self-taught photographer Javier Campano. He became successful during the Transition, Spain’s shift from dictatorship. This exhibition, put on by The Lafuente Archive, highlights Campano’s early and late works that include photography, documentary material, audiovisual pieces, and portraits.

Tina Modotti, Poste con cables, ca. 1925, Ciudad de México © Tina Modotti. Courtesy: Galerie Bilderwelt, Reinhard Schultz. Image provided by PHotoESPAÑA

The Italian-American Tina Modotti was only briefly a photographer, having also been an actress, model, and a member of International Red Aid active in other communist political causes. However, her photographs charting Mexico’s progression through unrest, industrialization, and modernization silently but powerfully showed the world Mexico’s strength and struggles. Modotti subtly melded her passion for Mexico with her strong stance on communism into her photographs. Her photographs were of great influence on Mexico’s culture. PhotoEspaña is showcasing 120 images of her life and work.

The PhotoEspaña Art Fair is open from June 1 to August 28, 2022. To view more information visit here.