Carlos Jaramillo’s practice spans documentary photography and art history, drawing together multiple styles and genres, using images in playful and unexpected ways. For Jaramillo, photography is also a means of empowering his subjects, of honoring diverse identities and histories, and of pushing past stereotypes.
Jaramillo sees dress and self-presentation as powerful expressions of identity, and his photographs often focus on an individual’s sense of personal style. Inspired by the formal simplicity of Renaissance portraiture, he uses pose and lighting as a foundation for crafting refined, minimal images. The techniques of classical painting find new expression in his work, merging tradition with a contemporary sensibility in photographs that highlight the uniqueness of his subjects.
History – of people, places, and cultures – is an important concern for Jaramillo, and the themes of family and youth feature strongly in his work. He uses the photographic portrait as a platform for exploring the challenges faced by younger people as they respond and adapt to a changing world, embracing their ancestry, handing down cultural practices across generations, taking forward and reshaping the past in the present.
At the heart of Jaramillo’s practice is a political consciousness that draws on his own heritage. His images question clichéd depictions of under-represented groups, whilst moving beyond identity narratives towards a more universal sense of inclusivity. Through photography, Jaramillo seeks a shared understanding with the individuals and communities he represents, elevating his subjects and bringing dignity to them.
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