RODRIGO GAYA
FERIA MATERIAL, VOL. 12, CDMX
HALL A - KDR | BOOTH A05

The booth at Material Art Fair will feature photography from Rodrigo Gaya's "Vochos Unidos" project, shot from 2016 to 2022, focusing on the iconic Mexican VW Beetle, whose production history in Mexico spanned 1963 to 2003. This work contemplates the fading future of these beloved vehicles, marking them as living memories and cultural artifacts that continue to shape Mexican identity, even as they recede from contemporary streets. The complete project will be published as a 300-page monograph by Carrara Media in 2026.

Rodrigo's photographic practice emerges from an intimate dialogue between place and people, shaped by his extensive travels and deep personal connection to Mexico through his Mexican heritage—his parents, both Mexican, grounded his work in authentic cultural understanding rather than external observation. His photographs transcend traditional photojournalism, functioning as a form of visual anthropology that explores the profound relationships between individuals and their environments, particularly focusing on authentic moments that reveal the essence of human experience within cultural landscapes.

Drawing from both his recent immersive time in Mexico and his lifelong connection to Mexican culture through his family, Rodrigo has developed a distinctive visual language that captures subjects in their natural surroundings, allowing their stories to unfold organically through his lens. His approach prioritizes genuine human connection over staged documentation, resulting in photographs that serve as cultural testimonies.

Rodrigo Gaya (b. 1987), Recieved his BA Communication Studies at University of Michigan in 2009. He lives and works in Miami, FL.