In a society that has become overrun with airbrushed images of perfection, photographer Daniel Ramos is revealing the raw, pure beauty of ordinary people in Monterrey, Mexico. His latest solo exhibition, “Eres Muy Hermosa,” at Baxter Street’s Project Space in New York, takes us on a journey through the eyes of those who are often overlooked.
The heart of the exhibition lies in eight, large portraits that provide viewers with an immersive experience. These are not typical, Instagram-worthy snapshots. They are powerful statements that capture the essence of working-class heroes. Ramos defies convention by placing his subjects in everyday social settings, transforming them into vibrant compositions of life and culture, and showing that even the most mundane environments can be rich with emotion.
The exhibition is a feast of black and white portraits, capturing the soul of Monterrey’s working class residents in bars and clubs at night. Ramos’ choice of a 4 x 5 view camera and monochrome photography infuses the exhibition with a timeless feel, allowing us to connect to the subjects on a profound level.
Ramos presents his subjects as proud individuals who have dreams, aspirations and joy, shattering the misconceptions that have so often held them back. Many of the individuals captured by Ramos’ camera have never been photographed before, giving them a chance to present their true, authentic selves to the world among the faceless masses. These photos showcase issues of culture, identity and class, battling against the assumptions of the working-class community in Monterrey to present the uniqueness, resilience and complexity of the Mexican experience.
Ramos’ work dismantles stereotypes that have plagued the Hispanic working class for far too long. Straddling the two worlds of life in Chicago and Mexico, Ramos understands the prejudices that face Mexican people. Born and raised in Pilsen, a Mexican-American neighborhood in Chicago, Ramos’ journey to becoming a celebrated photographer is rooted in diverse experiences.
Spending his summers with his grandmother in Lampazos De Naranjo, a small town in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, Ramos has formed a connection to two, diverse cultures. The bustling streets of Chicago and the tranquil, close-knit community in Mexico has informed his work on class, culture and identity that are often misconstrued in the American media.
Ramos’ work has graced the walls of esteemed galleries and institutions across the nation, including Foto Forum in Santa Fe, Philadelphia Photo Arts, Houston Center of Photography, and the Center of Photography in Woodstock, New York. As he continues to push the boundaries of his art, this fall, Ramos will be a fellow in the Whitney Museum’s 2023-2024 Independent Study Program, propelling him into new heights of contemporary photography.
“Eres Muy Hermosa” is a testament to the power of portraiture. Ramos’ aesthetic choices and unique perspective create a captivating visual narrative, revealing the extraordinary that exists in the everyday. This exhibition challenges our notion of beauty and identity, leaving a lasting impact. The exhibition will be running until December 2nd, 2023, inviting viewers to connect and contemplate Ramos’ work.
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