Contemporary identity at Mundo Latinx

“We were fascinated by the rich diversity of Latin America and the Latinx diaspora experience and wanted to address expectations of what Latinx means,” say the organisers behind Mundo Latinx, an exhibition of Latin American work going on show in London. “This exhibition coincides with challenging times in the global political climate when it is particularly important to highlight identity politics and diverse representation.”

A multimedia show, featuring work by film-makers, illustrators, and fashion designers as well as photographers, Mundo Latinx includes work by contemporary image-makers such as Diego Moreno from Mexico and Brecho Replay from Brazil, whose projects challenge notions of Latin American identity and beauty. Mundo Latinx is on show at the Fashion Space Gallery at London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, and is organised by White Line Projects, a group of London College of Fashion, UAL MA Fashion Curation alumni which was founded by Fiona McKay and Xenia Capacete Caballero.

“The exhibition will explore and challenge stereotypical interpretations of ‘Latino’ culture, which diminishes the complexities and nuances that exist and challenge the concept that Latin Americans share one identity,” they state. “It will explore the dominant narrative, played out in the media, that characterises Latin Americans as exotic, criminal and powerless.”

Mundo Latinx is on show from 08 February – 04 May at Fashion Space Gallery, London College of Fashion, 20 John Prince’s Street, London, W1G 0BJ. Entry to the exhibition is free www.fashionspacegallery.com

A type of indulgence, 2016 © Diego Moreno
The Old Gentleman, 2016 © Diego Moreno
Projeto Teen, Afrocentrados, 1, 2018 © Brechó Replay
Breno Turnes, 2016 © Brechó Replay
Charo and Rosario, from the series La otra [The Other Woman], 2001 © Natalia Iguíñiz, courtesy of the artist
Alan, from the series Uniforms. Vol.1- Part 1, 2018 © Dorian Ulises López Macías, courtesy the artist
La Espera [The Waiting], 2013 © Lucia Cuba, courtesy of the artist
La Espera [The Hope] © Lucia Cuba, courtesy of the artist
From the series Mujeres del Maiz [Women of the Corn] © Jahel Guerra
From the series Mujeres del Maiz [Women of the Corn] © Jahel Guerra
Couple Balam, from the East Los Angeles Urban Portrait, 1978-83 © John M. Valadez
Brooklyn and Soto, from the East Los Angeles Urban Portrait Portfolio, ca. 1978 © John M. Valadez
Diane Smyth

Diane Smyth is the editor of BJP, returning for a second stint on staff in 2023 - after 15 years on the team until 2019. As a freelancer, she has written for The Guardian, FT Weekend Magazine, Creative Review, Aperture, FOAM, Aesthetica and Apollo. She has also curated exhibitions for institutions such as The Photographers Gallery and Lianzhou Foto Festival. You can follow her on instagram @dismy