En Foco & Pregones Present Mariana Yampolsky: A Legacy In Focus

On February 27, 2025, En Foco invites the public to Pregones Theater for Mariana Yampolsky: A Legacy in Focus, a compelling panel discussion examining the life, work, and enduring influence of the acclaimed photographer. This special event is presented in support of the exhibition In The Spirit | En El Espíritu: Works by Mariana Yampolsky and is part of a yearlong series celebrating the 40th anniversary of Nueva Luz, En Foco’s award-winning photographic journal dedicated to uplifting artists of color. In The Spirit | En El Espíritu: Works by Mariana Yampolsky is currently on view at Pregones until March 31, 2025.

The panel discussion will feature Elizabeth Ferrer, art historian, curator, and author, who will be in conversation with Susana Temkin, Senior Curator at El Museo del Barrio, who will moderate the discussion. Together, Ferrer and Temkin will delve into the pivotal role Yampolsky played in shaping visual representations of Mexican culture, as well as her influence on how photography can be a tool for political and social change.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the richness of Yampolsky’s legacy and the profound ways in which her photographs continue to speak to the power of visual storytelling. Yampolsky’s iconic images of rural Mexican life, particularly her intimate portrayals of Indigenous communities, highlight the dignity, resilience, and spirit of those often overlooked by mainstream society. Her work reflects an unwavering commitment to the preservation of cultural heritage and the ongoing struggle for social justice.

Mariana Yampolsky was a groundbreaking figure in Latin American photography. As one of the first women to join the renowned Taller de Gráfica Popular, a collective dedicated to creating politically charged art, Yampolsky used photography as a means of activism, documenting the lives of marginalized communities with compassion, honesty, and urgency. Her body of work not only serves as a visual archive but as a call to action, advocating for social change and a deeper understanding of Mexican identity.

This program is a cornerstone of En Foco’s celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Nueva Luz, a publication that has been at the forefront of spotlighting the work of photographers of color since 1985. Through Nueva Luz, En Foco has consistently provided a platform for underrepresented voices in the arts, amplifying diverse perspectives in the field of photography. En Foco’s ongoing anniversary celebration will include additional events throughout 2025, each aimed at honoring the publication’s legacy and the many artists it has championed over the years.

Host or Publisher En Foco