SOLEDAD BURGALETA

Soledad Burgaleta is a multidisciplinary artist working in photography, painting, and writing. She has cited a desire to ‘make the invisible visible’ through her artistic practices, in which she uses primary photographs depicting “elderly men who begged or sold handmade crafts on the streets.” This intention is also reflected in her paintings, which convey a deep commitment to capturing the unseen, and to giving a voice to those often overlooked.

For Burgaleta, the tragic loss of her husband marked an artistic turning point, in which grief led her to painting, and allowed her respite and solace from the grief and weight of raising three young children alone. 

Her series, Una vida en la mirada (A Life in the Gaze), features twenty portraits of elderly individuals who survive by begging on the streets. Each face tells a story of resilience, with eyes that have seen both suffering and hope. She chose to depict them against the pages of early 20th-century romance novels, striking a contrast between an idealized version of love and a more realistic and often harsh reality.

Soledad’s work has been exhibited internationally, earning recognition and awards in Spain, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, and the United States. Her photography and paintings reflect a deep commitment to capturing the unseen and giving voice to those often overlooked.

 "Through my work, I aim to give visibility to those often ignored, honoring their strength and humanity. Their gazes reflect not just past struggles but an enduring spirit. In each face, we find the echo of resilience—a reminder that even in the darkest circumstances, the human spirit seeks renewal." – Soledad Burgelata