Andreina Fuentes Angarita
Andreina Fuentes Angarita (Caracas, Venezuela, 1968) is a visual artist, curator, philanthropist, and cultural producer based in Miami, Florida. Her interdisciplinary practice, which includes photography, video, and performance, focuses on themes of identity, social justice, and human rights, with a particular emphasis on marginalized communities. Through her art, she explores the evolution and adaptation of identities, often highlighting the struggles of socially displaced individuals due to their appearance, political beliefs, social identity, and sexual preferences. Her training process in photography and other media has taken place through her studies at the Art Students League of New York; Roberto Mata Photography School, Caracas, Venezuela; Nelson Garrido Organization (NGO), Caracas, Venezuela; PHotoEspaña, Madrid, Spain.
Fuentes Angarita's work is deeply rooted in social and cultural critique, using her platform to challenge perceptions, advocate for change, and foster empathy and understanding. In addition to her artistic practice, she is an active curator, bringing diverse voices into conversations that encourage dialogue and highlight the richness of Latin American art and the diaspora. Her work has been exhibited internationally and is recognized for impacting discussions surrounding identity and social justice.
Website: https://andreinafuentesangarita.com/about-me/
Instagram: @andreinafuentesa
Photo courtesy of the artist.
Transdecision
By employing the term Transdecision to signify the transition within decision-making processes, Miami-based Venezuelan visual artist Andreina Fuentes Angarita presents a photographic essay titled Transdecision. This work critically examines the legal and psychosocial dimensions necessary for establishing safe and equitable environments for transsexual and transgender communities. The project provides an in-depth perspective on civil guardianship as it relates to the recognition of gender identity, documenting the lived experiences of trans women who have endured social violations, including rejection, contempt, and systemic abuse. Through her work, Angarita invites viewers to confront their own perceptions of gender and identity, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diversity of human experience.
A central figure in this series is Gabriela Amaya, born in Managua, Nicaragua, in 1994. Having immigrated to the United States as a child, Gabriela is now on the path to U.S. citizenship and will undergo the legal process in Miami to change her name from Gabriel Amaya Cruz to Gabriela Amaya Cruz on her official identification in Florida. As an update to Gabriela’s fights, today all her legal papers and documents reflect her new name and gender.
The other two protagonists of this series are Rummie Antonia Quintero Verdu (Caracas, Venezuela, 1967) and Alex de La Croix (Madrid, Spain, 1993). Rummie is an international community rights activist, Director of the non-profit organization Divas de Venezuela since 2004. Legally, she can change her name on her birth certificate from Rigoberto Quintero Verdu to Rummie Quintero Verdu. Meanwhile, Alex is a film star, independent filmmaker, and series producer for HBO.es, Amazon, and TikTok. She is waiting for the approval of the new trans law introduced in the Spanish Senate to change her name on her ID, assuming her right of gender self-determination as a woman.
