Mateo Ruiz. Photographer
Colombian lens-based artist Mateo Ruiz Gonzalez, who resides in Brooklyn, New York, explores the coexistence and interactions between humans and nature in much of his work. His latest project, "Chilluns' Croon," is no exception.
The project is based on his explorations through Wilson County, North Carolina's Black Wide-Awake archive, which consists of genealogical and historical documents relevant to African-American history in the region, curated by Lisa Y. Henderson.
Through a series of symbolic photographs, the project brings these historical documents to life, reflecting on old transcripts from the Federal Writers Project of the accounts of formerly enslaved people. Gonzalez draws inspiration from these testaments of spirituality, love, and loss from the era of slavery in the United States, using photography to breathe new life into the written words.
Apart from his practice, Gonzalez is also the co-founder of Antics Publications, an independent photography publisher located in Bogota, Colombia, and New York City.
Explore more of the evocative "Chilluns' Croon" project below.
