Marta Fàbregas i Aragall
Art, Activism, and Photography as Social Transformation
Born in Barcelona in 1974, Marta Fàbregas Aragall is an artist, activist, and
photographer whose career reflects a deep commitment to art as a tool for social change and empowerment. Trained at the Institut d’Estudis Fotogràfics de Catalunya, she has developed a career that combines a powerful artistic vision, a strong social awareness, and an entrepreneurial creative spirit.
Since the beginning, photography has been her passion and primary means of
expression. In 1998, she co-founded Estudi La Fotogràfica with Marc Vidal, a space that merges artistic creation with professional projects for museums, businesses, and private clients. Beyond her photographic practice, Fàbregas teaches workshops, seminars, and classes at institutions such as the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Barcelona and leads educational projects in vulnerable contexts.
Marta Fàbregas' work explores the identity, strength, and history of women through series that combine photography, artistic intervention, and visual storytelling. Using vintage photographs as her starting point, she seeks to dignify the images of women silenced by history, transforming them into tributes to their courage, resilience, and humanity.
In Diver, she pays homage to trailblazing women who broke barriers, such as the athletes of the 1932 Olympic Games. This series celebrates the strength of women who dare to leap without a safety net and inspire others to move forward.
With Perfect Imperfect, she champions imperfection as a path to personal and
collective growth. The series confronts the rigid ideals imposed on women in the 1950s and embraces the freedom that comes with accepting our imperfect humanity.
The series Immaculate and Lilith's Daughters reflect on dignity, rebellion, and
female empowerment. Drawing inspiration from figures such as Lilith, the first
woman to defy submission according to Hebrew tradition, these works highlight the transformative role of women throughout history.
In Colonized, she delves into the stories of dispossessed and marginalized women. By repurposing vintage photographs, Fàbregas restores dignity to these figures through collage and digital intervention, creating a powerful visual statement against sexism and oppression.
Her work transcends the confines of galleries through projects like Art al Carrer, where she brings large-scale works to public spaces. These murals, created in collaboration with local collectives, spark social debate and reflection, impacting both the participating community and passersby.
Fàbregas has exhibited her work in major institutions and galleries, including the Museu Frederic Marès, the Palau Robert, Pigment Gallery in Barcelona, Saraceno Gallery in Rome, and Soda Gallery in Istanbul, as well as at prestigious international art fairs like Art Basel Miami, Art Paris, and LA Art Show. Her work is part of collections such as those of the Lluís Bassat Foundation, Artemizia Foundation, and SETBA Foundation, standing out for its ability to capture everyday beauty and transform emotions into powerful images.
Characterized by a direct and deeply human visual language, her work explores themes such as identity, gender, and feminism. A standout example is her project Traspassant l’Objectiu (Through the Lens), which since 2020 has worked with incarcerated women in prisons such as Brians 1, Wad-Ras, and Ponent, using photography as a vehicle for empowerment. This initiative was published under the title Brians: Invisible Women and earned recognition, including an honorary mention at the “Impulsa Cultura” awards by the Catalunya Cultura Foundation.
Academically and socially, Fàbregas holds a Postgraduate Degree in Visual and Therapeutic Pedagogy from the University of Barcelona. She leads art mediation workshops aimed at giving a voice to vulnerable groups, from incarcerated women to individuals at risk of social exclusion. As president of the Network of Businesswomen and Entrepreneurs of Sant Cugat, she spearheads initiatives that promote female entrepreneurship.
Her accolades include recent participation in the Manifesta 15 Biennial in Sant
Cugat, where she presented D(ó)na Oportunitat, as well as awards at events like the Biennial of Young Creators of Europe and the Mediterranean in Turin (1997), her first recognition in her artistic career.
Throughout her journey, Marta Fàbregas has demonstrated that art not only beautifies but also transforms, empowers, and builds bridges toward a more just and conscious world.
As well as that, she has worked in several Other Projects.
Solo exhibitions:
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2025 Experimental Photo Festival, Barcelona: “Musas: Mujeres que nos inspiran”
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2025 Festival Luminic, Sant Cugat: “Colonitzades”
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2024 Manifesta Biennial 15, Sant Cugat: "D(ó)na Oportunitat"
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2024 Fundació Setba, Lleida: "Brians: Mujeres Invisibles"
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2024 Art Photo BCN Fest, Pigment Gallery, Barcelona: “Ama”
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2024 El Claustre Gallery, Girona: “Marta Fàbregas”
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2024 El Claustre Gallery, Figures: “Marta Fàbregas”
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2024 Soda Istambul, Istambul: “Lilith’s Daughters”
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2023 Saraceno Gallery, Roma: “Solo Show- Mujeres”
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2023 Jorge Alcolea, Madrid: "Solo show- Infinita Magnitud"
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2023 Fundació Setba, Palau Robert: “Brians: mujeres invisibles”
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2023 Pigment Gallery, Paris: “Solo Show- Inmaculadas”
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2022 Pigment Gallery, Barcelona: “reBelades”
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2021 Festival Mitgeres, Valls: Mural intervention on the facades of a building on the center of the city
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2021 Anquin's Gallery, Reus: Mural intervention on the facades of the village
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2021 Anquin’s Gallery, Reus: “Identities”
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2020 Exposició Online: "Off 2020" (PHotoESPAÑA)
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2020 InCadaqués Festival, Girona: Mural intervention on the facades of the village
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2020 Mural Action in Ciutat Vella, Fundació Setba, Barcelona: “Muses”
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2020 Pigment Gallery exhibition, Palma de Mallorca, Mallorca: "Marta Fàbregas"
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2019 Barcelona Gallery Weekend, Pigment Gallery, Barcelona: "Universos en suspensión”
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2019 Ariel Jakob Galerie, Paris, France: “Colonized”
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2019 Revela’t Festival, Vilassar de Dalt, Barcelona: Mural intervention on the facade of the church
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2019 Pigment Gallery, Barcelona: “Colonized”
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2017 Pigment Gallery, Barcelona: "Trobades en una cadira"
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2016 Galeria Moncada, Barcelona: "Colonized"
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2016 La Fotogràfica, Barcelona: "Colonitzades"
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2015 Galeria Mito, Barcelona: "You are here"
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2015 La Fotogràfica, Barcelona: "Barcelona"
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2015 Galeria Mito, Barcelona: " You are Here"
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2014 La Fotogràfica, Barcelona: "Pepe Rubianes"
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2010 Galeria Hartman, Barcelona: “Trobades en una Cadira”
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2010 Teatre Romea, Barcelona: “Les cares del Romea”
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2012 La Fotogràfica, Barcelona: “Next Sation: Digipovera”
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2003 La Fotogràfica, Barcelona: “Blanc sobre Blanc”
Group exhibitions:
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2025 Nau Gaudí, Mataró: “Col·lecció Bassat, Obres del Segle XXI (III)”
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2024 BlinkGroup Fine Art Gallery, Miami, USA : “Art Basel”
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2024 Pigment Gallery, Barcelona: “Col·lectiva d’estiu”
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2024 El Claustre Gallery, Girona: “Col·lectiva d’estiu”
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2024 El Claustre Gallery, Figueres: “Col·lectiva d’estiu”
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2024 Pigment Gallery, Bordeaux, France: "BAD+"
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2024 Anquin's Gallery, Reus: “Amb veu de Dona”
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2023 Soda Gallery, Istanbul: “Contemporary Art Istanbul”
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2023 Pigment Gallery, Barcelona: “Col·lectiva d'estiu”
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2023 Anquin’s Gallery, Reus: “Vincles”
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2023 Jorge Alcolea, Madrid: "Feria SAM"
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2023 BlinkGroup Fine Art Gallery, Miami, USA : “Art Wynwood”
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2023 BlinkGroup Fine Art Gallery, Miami, USA : “Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary”
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2022 Kronos Festival, Palau Robert, Barcelona: "Kronos’22"
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2022 Jorge Alcolea, Madrid: "Colectiva de mujeres artistas"
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2022 Pigment Gallery, Bordeaux, France: "BAD+"
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2022 Galeria Anquin’s, Karlsruhe, Germany: “Art Karlsruhe ”
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2022 Jorge Alcolea, Madrid: "Colectiva de verano"
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2022 Galeria Anquin’s, Stockholm: “Affordable Art Fair”
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2022 Pigment Gallery, Paris, France : "Art Paris"
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2022 BlinkGroup Fine Art Gallery, Miami, USA : “Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary”
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2022 Jorge Alcolea, Madrid: "Feria SAM"
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2022 Los Angeles, USA : "LA Art Show"
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2021 BlinkGroup Fine Art Gallery, Miami, USA : “Context Art Miami Fair”
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2021 Bilbao, Feria Internacional de grabado y arte sobre papel: “FIG Bilbao”
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2021 Galería Nueva, Madrid: “Colectiva”
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2021 Pigment Gallery Paris, Paris: “De Barcelona a Paris: Retrato de una galería”
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2021 Espai Cavallers, Lleida: “Al·legoria de la forma”
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2021 Hamburg, Alemania: “Affordable Art Fair”
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2021 Museu Frederic Marés, Barcelona: “Convidats & Amfitrions”
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2021 Espai Cavallers, Lleida: “#Universfemení”
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2021 Frederic Marès Museum, Barcelona: "Convidats & Amfitrions"
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2021 Pigment Gallery, Barcelona: “Dualidades”
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2021 Pigment Miramar Gallery, Barcelona: “Winter collective”
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2020 El Claustre Gallery, Girona: “Les nostres artistes”
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2020 Fundació Setba in Pigment Gallery Hotel Miramar, Barcelona: “De l’ombra a la Llum”
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2020 Grand Palais, Paris, France : "Art Paris"
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2020 Online exhibition: "Off 2020" (PHotoESPAÑA)
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2020 Fundació Setba in Pigment Gallery Hotel Miramar, Barcelona: “Muses”
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2020 New York, USA: “Art on paper”
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2020 Madrid, Spain: “Art Madrid”
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2020 Los Angeles, USA : "LA Art Show"
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2019 Strasburg, France : "ST-ART"
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2019 Madrid, Spain: “Estampa Contemporary Art Fair”
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2019 Milan, Italy: “GrandArt Fair”
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2019 Istanbul, Turkey: “Contemporay Istanbul”
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2019 Dornbirn, Austria: “Art Bodensee Fair"
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2019 London, England: "Draw Art Fair London"
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2019 San Francisco, California, USA: "Art Market San Francisco"
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2019 Amsterdam, Netherlands: "KunstRai Art Amsterdam"
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2019 Forni Gallery, Bologna, Italy: “MIA Photo FairArt Milan"
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2019 Grand Palais, Paris, France : "Art Paris"
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2019 Wolfsen Gallery, Denmark: "Art Herning"
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2019 Los Angeles, USA : "LA Art Show"
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2018 Strasburg, France : "ST-ART"
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2018 Milan, Italy : "GrandArt Fair"
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2018 Liceo Theatre, Barcelona: “The Great Sacrifice of freedom”
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2018 Les Rencontres de la Photographie, Arles, France: “Byopaper"
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2018 Cosmos Arles Books, Arles, France: "Dear Family of No Man"
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2018 Pigment Gallery, Barcelona: “Summer"
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2018 New York, USA: “Art on paper”
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2017 Paris, France: “Art París”
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2017 Fundació Setba, Barcelona: “Música Pintada”
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2017 San Francisco, USA: “Art Market San Francisco”
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2016 Galeria Barcelona La Fotogràfica: "Mercat d'hivern"
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2016 Chicago, USA: “SOFA”
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2016 Fundació Setba, Barcelona: “Capses Màgiques”
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2015 Colonia, Germany: “Art Fair”
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2015 Fundació Setba, Barcelona: “De la Vanguardia al Sidecar”
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2014 Strasbourg, France: “St. Art”
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2013 Gran Hotel Central, Barcelona: “Indrets”
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2013 Gràcia district, Barcelona: “L/Aparadart”
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2013 Gran Hotel Central, Barcelona: “Realment Barcelona”
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2012 Paris, France: “Art París”
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2010 Colonia, Germany: “Art Fair”
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2009 Galeria Montcada, Barcelona: “Dracs”
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2008 FAD premises, Barcelona: “Moda FAD 25 Editions”
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2005 Paris, France: “Art París”
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2002 Strasbourg, France: “ST-ART”
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2000 Creation of the “Digipovera” project.
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1998 Galeria La Santa, Barcelona: “Pintem el Mar de Blau”
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1997 UB (University of Barcelona), City of Barcelona Selection, “VIII Biennial of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean”
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1996 Virreina, Barcelona: Fotomercè 95
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1995 Virreina, Barcelona: Fotomercè 94
Awards:
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2024 Winner of the "Cicle d'artistes de Sant Cugat" call included in the Biennial Manifesta 15 carried out by the City Council of Sant Cugat with the artistic mediation project D(ó)na Oportunitat
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2021 Honorable mention in the awards “Impulsa Cultura” of the Fundació Catalunya Cultura, for the project “Traspassant l’Objectiu” of the Fundació Setba
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1997 Shortlisted for the VIII Biennial of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean (Torino, Italy)
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1994 Secondary b/w award Fotomercè 94. Barcelona city council
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1995 Second Prize b/w Fotomercè 95- Barcelona city council
Books published:
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Fàbregas, Galvez-Rain, Oliveira, Kiprisly, (Barcelona 2022). Brians, mujeres invisibles. Editorial Lumínic.
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Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, MACBA (Barcelona 2017). Col·lecció MACBA. Ed. Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA).
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Antonio Monegal (Barcelona 2016). Frederic Amat. Ed. Teatre Lliure de Barcelona.
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Barcelona City Council (Barcelona 2015). 2012-2013 El creixement de les col·leccions. Ed. Museu del Disseny de Barcelona.
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Sigalit Landau (Barcelona 2015). La danza fenicia de la arena. Ed. Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA).
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Barcelona City Council (Barcelona 2014). Del món al museu, disseny de producte, patrimoni cultural. Ed. Museu del Disseny de Barcelona.
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Barcelona City Council, (Barcelona 2014). 100 mirades a la col·lecció. Ed. Museu del Disseny de Barcelona.
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Barcelona City Council (Barcelona 2014). El cos vestit, Siluetes i moda. 1550-2015. Ed. Museu del Disseny de Barcelona.
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Barcelona City Council (Barcelona 2012). Pedro Rodríguez, Catàleg dels vestits de Maria Brillas. Ed. Museu del Disseny de Barcelona.
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Mecanoo, Labb (2010). La Llotja de Lleida. Lundwerg Editorial.
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Actar (2009). Barcelona Brand New Fashion Designers. Actar Editorial.
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Kiki Smith (2009). Her memory. Ed. Fundació Joan Miró.
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Dani Coma (2007). Macedònia. Ed. La Galera.
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Miguel Silveira (2003). A educar también se aprende. Alba Editorial.
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Raquel Mancena (2002). Guia off de Barcelona. Alba Editorial.
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IVAM Centre Julio Gonzalez. Fundació Caixa de Catalunya (1997). Aladdin Toys. Les joguines de Torres-García. Ed. Fundació Caixa de Catalunya.
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Col·legi d’Arquitectes de Catalunya, COAC ( Tarragona 1997). Arquitectura del camp. Col·legi d’Arquitectes de Catalunya, COAC.
Academic activity:
She gives photography and portrait workshops and courses at her studio La Fotogràfica (Workshops La Fotogràfica), and also coordinates courses and teaches at IED Barcelona. She currently teaches:
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"Traspassant Objectius" SETBA foundation, Brians 1 (women's penitentiary)
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“De L’Ombra A la llum” Fundació SETBA, Pati Llimona
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“Imaginadores” SETBA Foundation.
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Photography master for creative professions at the Instituto Europeo di Design Barcelona (coordination and teaching)