Photographer Nelson Garrido, Who Embraced an "Aesthetics of the Ugly," Dies at 73
The Venezuelan photographer interrogated power, religion, violence, and eroticism over a six-decade-long practice that faced relentless censorship from church and state authorities.
Venezuelan photographer Nelson Garrido, known for his unique aesthetic embracing the ugly, passed away on August 20, 2026, at the age of 73. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Gala Garrido. Born in Caracas on August 24, 1952, Garrido spent his formative years in France, Italy, and Chile. At 14, he worked with kinetic art pioneer Carlos Cruz-Diez in Paris, and at 16, in Chile, he formed a friendship with poet Nicanor Parra and began photographing him.
Upon his return to Venezuela, Garrido immersed himself in the country's theater and community scenes, working with worker communities for César Rengifo and designing sets for José Ignacio Cabrujas' plays and films by Román Chalbaud. These experiences shaped his utopian anarchism, which is reflected in his creative work.
Garrido's photography often delved into themes of power, religion, violence, eroticism, and the aesthetics of ugliness. Using set design reliquaries, crucifixions, and Old Masters like Hieronymus Bosch and Francisco Goya as inspirations, he challenged societal norms through his lens. His photo series La nave de los locos (1999) depicted a fishing community on a ship, symbolizing a nation adrift.
Garrido's iconic pig, used as a metaphor for Catholic figures and politicians, was particularly provocative. His 1993 photograph "La crucifixión del cochino levitando" (1993), featuring a crucified pig, ignited controversy in Venezuela. Priests protested and declared Garrido persona non grata.
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