Mexican-British artist Alinka Echeverr铆a (b. 1981) works across artist鈥檚 film and photography, combining a background in cultural anthropology with a critical approach to image-making.
For example, Anthem, which was shortlisted for the 2017 Aesthetica Art Prize, is from a 2011 series which follows the build-up to independence in The Republic Of South Sudan. The collection aims to counter the depiction of the African continent and its inhabitants as embodying 鈥渙therness鈥 through a process of collaboration with her subjects, demanding the viewer to see the individual behind the story.
Since her involvement in the Prize, Echeverr铆a has been selected for the 2017 edition of Foam Talent for Nicephora, a research project about the representation of women made during BMW鈥檚 Art & Culture Residency at the Nic茅phore Ni茅pce Museum in 2015.
Adding to an ever-growing list of nominations, she was also chosen for the 2018 edition of the Prix Elys茅e, the Mus茅e de l’Elys茅e’s prestigious prize for mid-career artists. Echeverr铆a is nominated alongside other recognised practitioners, including Gregory Halpern and Mathieu Asselin.
Bridging an interest in research and representation, recent commissions include a series for BBC Four, entitled The Art That Made Mexico. Across three insightful episodes, the show reveals the forces and ideas that led Mexican practitioners to develop a distinctive voice and artistic identity.
The artist鈥檚 works are held in several international colllections, including Mus茅e de l鈥橢lys茅e, Switzerland; The Swiss Foundation of Photography, Winterthur; Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), USA; The Museum of Fine Arts (MFAH), Houston USA and The Nelson Mandela Foundation, South Africa.
Echeverr铆a has been part of solo and group shows around the world, including Preus Museum, Norway; the Johannesburg Art Gallery, Les Rencontres de la Photographie Arles and The California Museum of Photography at UCR.
The Aesthetica Art Prize is open for entries until 31 August. Find out more
Credits:
1.聽Alinka Echeverria,聽Anthem, 2011. From the series Becoming South Sudan 鈥 Chapter One. C-type print on archival photographic paper, mounted on archival museum board in hand stained hardwood frame. 76.2cm x 76.2cm.
2.聽Alinka Echeverria,聽White Ink, 2015. Courtesy of the artist / BMW Residency at Mus茅e Nic茅phore Ni茅pce.
3. 漏 Alinka Echeverria. (2015 BMW Young Photographer-in-Residence)
