Juan Aristides Otamendiz

Photographer

Juan A. Otamendiz, based in Cuba and Berlin, is a Afrocuban autodidactic photographer, born in Havana. His family emigrated in from Haiti and Spain to Cuba. His mother was a primary school teacher and his father an engineer. Juan worked in different jobs like cake supplier, avocado seller or model. For 11 years Otamendiz sold fashion on the black market to the Cuban upper class till he discovered photography. Since 2015 Juan participates at photo-workshops of the “UNEAC-Union Cuban Writers and Artists” in Havana. Parallel he worked as a photo- & production assistant. Since 2016 Juan Aristides Otamendiz realized 2artist projects together with the German artist Kirstin Schmitt.2021 he got a scholarship from the Hessian Ministry for Science & Art in Germany. His photographs, preferably long-term-projects are biographically driven, dealing by intuitive and inductive ways with post-colonialism, social ex.- and inclusion. Juans portraits are intimate approaches to realities beyond the fast lane. Juan awarded photographs (Winner LAF6-Latin American Fotografia, New York / nominated "Latin America Professional Award 2020" by Sony World Photograph Awards, London / Honorable mention IPA-International photography Award, shortlisted Kolga Photoaward and Felix Schoeller Award in Germany etc.) has been showcased and published in both Americas, Europa & Africa like the ADDIS FOTO FESTIVAL(Ethiopia), PHOTO VOGUE FESTIVAL and got nominated for the World press photo National Talents.