La Espalda de Maria

Maria Vasquez is a Peruvian photographer living in Cardiff.

While her work centres primarily around self portraiture, her photographic sequences look to capture the many intricate facets of ‘womanhood’ as seen through the lens.

Drawing inspiration directly from lived experiences, her practice is concerned with exploring the deep connections between sensuality and physicality. The work often incorporates deep contrasts in light and dark, heavy sumptuous textures and bold lines. Each element serving to amplify the juxtaposition between a physical form and the space it occupies.

Vasquez’ work is bold and unafraid, empowered and fragile. As she is herself her own muse, her work is intrinsically self reflective. Her portraits offer the viewer a unique opportunity to observe the artists perspectives of ‘the self’, and how that is perceived by society.