Nelson Garrido

This event, presented by Santa Salsa, Lugar Comun and Arts Connection , celebrates the work of a groundbreaking artist whose career has spanned decades and continents.

For this show at Selva Projects, Garrido presented an interactive site-specific installation.

Nelson Garrido studied in Italy, France, and Chile, honing his craft under the mentorship of Carlos Cruz Diez in Paris. He founded La ONG, a photography school and cultural center in Caracas that became a pivotal institution in Latin American art, influencing many people.

Garrido’s art merges religion, sex, humor, and vernacular imagery, creating a provocative iconographic language. His work often explores themes of violence and irreverence, challenging societal norms through staged photography. His unique approach to aesthetics—embracing ugliness, eroticism, and sacrificial imagery—invites deep reflection and reaction.