Renata Crespo Suárez

My name is Renata and I am a Cuban photographer and visual artist currently based in The Netherlands.

I started photography as many others out there: as a hobby (so yes, I am autodidact). Very soon that hobby became a passion and my current profession.
I’ve been always very interested in capturing the simple moments of daily life, which often got me to photograph over my friends. To them I dedicated my first solo exhibition, “Uncommon people”.

My work is a projection of my experiences and personal battles. I use art as a way of self-understanding and with the ultimate purpose of giving representation to the issues I have faced.

This summer I will be exhibiting at the Rotterdam Photo Festival (@rotterdamphoto) a selection of images from my two core series “Things I want to Heal” (2016-2020) and “Men & flowers can coexist” (2020).

Instagram: @renatacresposuarez

Where would you like your work to take you?

My art is purely autobiographical and with it I would like to reach a place from where I get to give voice to others facing the same issues I have struggled with. I believe the ultimate purpose of art is education, so that’s always in the back of my mind while conceiving or creating a new project.

Which part of your creative process do you enjoy most?

I have to say that putting together all the ideas and sketches that I created in a previous and first stage of the process is my favourite part of it. It is definitely the most fun part of it.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

Mostly from personal experiences. My work is a projection of myself. For me it has been always hard to put emotions or feelings into words, so I often manifest them through my photography. But at the same time I would say that inspiration, in its widest meaning, can come from anything; from a movie, an old paint, a song, a new friend to a post on Instagram.

What piece of music would you say compliments your work the most?

Like for many others, my choices in music are determined by my mood, so is the music that compliments or could compliment my work. It varies and I couldn’t think off a single piece when talking about my whole work. But for example, when I think of my first series ‘‘Uncommon People’’ I can come with No. 1 Party Anthem by Artic Monkeys, as that series reflects youth, spontaneity, party culture, alcohol, freedom, love, and so on.  

Can you list a couple other creatives/friends/people you look to for inspiration?

There are so many talented people to whom I look for inspiration. I am very proud that the majority of them are women or fellow Cubans. I can name Camila Falquez, Alejandra Gonzáles, Ailen Maleta, the amazing duo from Heroine Journal, my dear friend Amanda Bjorn (she is the best in her field) and lastly I would say Natalia Lafourcade, a current favourite in my playlist, as big sources of inspiration.