About the photographer

Victoria Ruiz is a multidisciplinary artist from Caracas, Venezuela, and a graduate of Central Saint Martins (2022). Her work encompasses photography, sculptural garments, and live performance, delving into themes of identity, cultural resistance, and the interplay between spirituality and nature, particularly through Afro-diasporic spirituality and her Latin American heritage. 

By crafting wearable sculptures and employing a unique photographic approach, Ruiz constructs powerful imagery that revisits her childhood and cultural narratives, giving voice to marginalised communities while challenging socio-political norms. Rooted in activism, her artistic vision seeks to subvert traditional narratives through a carnivalesque lens, celebrating the resilience and vibrancy of her community while addressing pressing cultural and environmental issues. Ruiz's recent work emphasises the interconnectedness of all beings and the divine forces in nature, inviting audiences to reflect on their own identities. 

Inspired by Celia Cruz’s album Homenaje a Los Santos, her latest series honours the divine forces of nature, using ceremonial garments to combat prejudice and cultural resistance. Each image channels ancestral spirits and affirms the transcendent power of the Saints. 

Ruiz's innovative photography has garnered recognition, winning awards such as the Numéro+ Switzerland First Photography Contest and the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts 2024 International Photography Competition. She has exhibited widely, including shows at Tropigalpão in Rio de Janeiro, the PhotoVogue Festival in Milan, and the Fresh Eyes Talent 2024 Haute Photographie exhibition in Amsterdam, while being a finalist in notable competitions.