Biography
I was born in Buenos Aires, 1971, city where I lived until the age of 6, then I spent my children alternated between Jujuy and Buenos Aires, until we settled in Salta.
At 18, I returned to Buenos Aires where I studied dance for 4 years with Freddy Romero and did some courses at the UBA in the communication and art careers. I undertook studies in the field of music too.
In 1993 I started the APW, aesthetic photographic workshops. In those years I also worked at some press medias.
In 2001 I returned to Salta with the intent to deepen into my personal work. I participated in the workshops organized by the Antorchas Foundation in the northwest region.
From 2005 to 2007 I got involved with the picture project ¨ Photo Bonaudi” by Sunchales, in the Santa Fe state.
Since the year 2001 I lead a workshop and teach in Salta and Jujuy. Since I returned to live in the north I organize meetings, exhibitions and workshops. Following this, the Monte group is born in 2008.
I also work on projects involving social and cultural development in the region.
In 2001 I received a grant from the Antorchas Foundation. I put on my first exhibition in Salta: “Kates ¨. ¨La Estrella” in 2003 received another grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and received first prize at the National Photography Salon.
I have exhibited since then in Argentina, Cuba, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, USA, Peru, Uk and France. My work is in collections of the National Endowment for the Arts, The Book Fair, The Museum of Fine Arts of Buenos Aires, Malba's collection and private collections in Argentina and abroad.
Some other exhibitions:
2008 Personal Diaries, Cultural Center of Spain, Rosario, Argentina. 2008 Photoimagen 2008, Museum of Modern Art, Dominican Republic. 2007 / 8 LANDSCAPES, Asuncion, Paraguay, Salta, Mac and CCEBA, Bs 2007 Photoquia, Paris, France. 2007 Portraits of Salta, London, Uk. 2007 Portraits of Salta. Salsbury Festival, Uk. 2006 Membership, National Endowment for the Arts, Villa Victoria Ocampo, Buenos Aires 2004 CHACO, Photo space of the General San Martin Theater. 2003 CHACO, Pompeo Boggio Museum Drive, Chivilcoy. 2001 KATES-La Estrella, Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes de Salta. 2001 Award F. Klemm to the Visual Arts. Buenos Aires Argentina. Contemporary Photography Show 2001, Casa de las Americas, Havana, Cuba.
Vision of art
1. Choose a work that represents you, describe it in relation to its format and materiality, its relation with time and space, its style and theme; detail its production process.
A picture of a woman in the river, given to the landscape. The picture was taken in Salta and it is very recent, 2008.
2. In general terms, how would you suggest to approach your work?
I can personally say I have a special predilection for portraits and I photograph what I love, what moves me.
Also as a means of knowledge, wit and approach. An experience, a relationship with the other and myself. Then the observer adds likewise. Reflects likewise.
3. In reference to your work and your position in the national and international art fields, what tradition do you recognize yourself in? Who are your contemporary referents? What artists of previous generations are of interest to you?
From very young I had contact with the arts in general, at my home.
In 1993 I joint the APW, directed by Eduardo Gil, I was in this workshop for 7 years and from there I gained a strong relationship with photography, which was complemented by working at various press medias.
Photography is for me like a tool, an instrument.
Marcia Schwartz and Tulio de Sagastizábal have also been very significant people in my way, along with Eduardo.
Moreover, while I concentrated in the Chaco I was absolutely influenced by the worldview of people from those communities.
I am interested towards the union between “religious”, the sacred, and representation, what is produced. In this regard another person with whom I work intensely is Sebastian Mendoza “Tiluk”.
Other references: Eggleston, Beuys, Robert Frank, Martin Chambi, Grete Stern, ¨ ¨ Pajita Bes Garcia, Helio Oiticica, Ana Mendieta, Grippo, Elsa Salfity, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, and more.
