Time, pause, and memory are intimately connected. In the universe, nothing dies or exists outside of it; everything is part of a continuous becoming without a beginning or end. It is essential to pause time to analyze events, feelings, and live in full awareness.
I advocate for the artistic/photographic craft through my meditative practice and connection with the planet. The act of stopping and collecting time results in temporal overlays and portals of meaning. This directive doesn’t come from me but from a deeper voice I call Saokma. She is my intuition in its purest state, seeking to bring lost or invisible natural entities and presences into the light, restoring their natural connection to the collective.
Thus, photography becomes the means to connect with the universe in a cycle, a river without beginning or end, with the sole purpose of continuous learning without falling into oblivion. Appreciating the entirety as a cyclical river of life and death.
As a therapist and facilitator, I conceive of photography as present work with and for the Light, in a projection that goes from inside to outside: from the depths of the human being to the revealed image. These images are portals to the multiple dimensions of their creator to promote self-awareness and personal value because we cannot love what we do not see and do not know.
Join me, and let’s discover together your revealed self from multiple perspectives, under a new light. It will be a journey into that great unknown. Let the adventure begin!
Hello! My name is Monica Aguilar, and I am a visual artist, pedagogue and therapist based in Quito. Since I was little, I have been fascinated by photography and have dedicated a significant part of my life to learning and perfecting the craft.
I decided to pursue my passion and life mission, graduating as a Photographic Designer from the Metropolitan Institute of Design in Quito in 2005. In 2020, I completed a diploma in Contemporary Artistic Photography from the Node Center in Berlin, and more recently, I graduated from the Postgraduate Program in Visual and Therapeutic Pedagogy of the Image from the University of Barcelona in September 2022.
I had the opportunity to learn from some of the best international teachers and photographers, in addition to developing two significant artistic projects: “Photophilia” and “Samayuio, the Spirit of Quito’s River.” The latter received two official selections in 2022: one from the Centro de la Imagen in Mexico and another from the IPA Awards by the Lucie Foundation in Los Angeles, USA. In 2023, it was chosen as one of the top 10 cultural projects in Quito and embarked on a cultural tour through centers in Barcelona and Madrid as part of the prize.
My biography is the result of years of dedication and passion for photography. I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and look forward to continuing to grow and share my work with the world, contributing to the harmonious coexistence of humans on the planet and achieving the healthy balance we so desperately need.
Artist Curriculum
2024. Samayuio 2024 Children’s Art Workshop and Exhibition: The Symbol of My River. Workshop methodology and facilitation, cultural management and project direction, graphic design. With the collaboration and support of UNESCO Quito, Colectivo Amaruna del Río, Wildlife Conservation Society WCS of Ecuador, L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science and the Andean Rivers Observatory. August.
2024. Verti/Entes: The Rivers of Quito Collective exhibition about the rivers of Quito at Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador’s Cultural Center in Quito. Creative concept, curatorship, exhibition and graphic design. Samayuio photographic exhibition, and photographic art series exhibition: “Minga ritual”, “Walking Rivers” and “Pain Spots” installation. June – July.
2024. Fotofilia & Samayuio exhibition at Maywa Creative Studio opening event. Quito, 1st of June.
2024. Samayuio’s exhibition and conferences at Lycée La Condamine. Quito, 20th – 31st of May.
2024. Samayuio’s conferences and showcases: 1. World Water Day presentation for the Metropolitan Public Company of Drinking Water and Sanitation of Quito (EPMAPS) on March 22nd. 2. In San Francisco de Quito University (USFQ), as part of the documentary release “La vida de un río” on April 25th. 3. In the Equator Technological University (UTE), Quito, as part of the discussion panel after the documentary screening “La vida de un río” on May 9th.
2023. Academic research publication: Samayuio, Spirit of Quito’s River, in the Water Network of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, UNAM. Impluvium #25, pg. 38.
2023. Samayuio’s creative workshop and exhibition for kids. Project development and creation, methodology and facilitation of the botanical photography workshop, cultural management and project direction, museographic and graphic design. Promoted by PUCE Ecuador (Catholic Ecuador University), Culture Secretary of Quito’s City Hall, Pambiliño Forest-school, Cumanda Urban Park and FONAG. Quito, Ecuador. Exhibition design and installation of the artworks showcased at Parque Urbano Cumandá between November and December 2023.
2023. Photophilia’s workshop and photobook concept and design for FONAG’s Water Keepers. “Guardapáramos“. Quito Water Protection Fund, Fonag.
2022 – 2023. Samayuio, The Spirit of Quito’s River. By Quito Official Selection and residency, one of the 10 best cultural projects in Quito. Travesías, Camaleones, and SurEs programs for creative industries, promoted and selected by OEI Ecuador, Secretaría de Cultura de Quito, and Trànsit Projectes. Barcelona, Spain.
2022 – 2023. Samayuio, The Spirit of Quito’s River traveling exhibition and Water Forum. Local Administrations of the Municipality of Quito. From September 2022 to February 2023.
2022. Samayuio, The Spirit of Quito’s River. Official selection, Analog / Film, Fine Art category of the IPA Lucie Foundation Awards, USA.
2022. Samayuio, The Spirit of Quito’s River. Official selection, Digital Exhibitions category, Mexico International Photography Festival, Fotoseptiembre 2022. Centro de la Imagen.
2022. Postgraduate in Visual Pedagogy and Image Therapeutics. University of Barcelona, Spain. Graduation Project: Photophilia.
2021. Samayuio, The Spirit of Quito’s River. Solo show in Sara Palacios Gallery. Nayón, Quito – Ecuador during September 2021.
2021. Samayuio, The Spirit of Quito’s River. Photobook. Winning publishing grant by the ARTS UNIVERSITY EDITORIAL. Guayaquil, Ecuador.
2020. Samayuio, The Spirit of Quito’s River. Augmented Reality Map. Winning publishing grant by FONAG (Quito Water Protection Fund). Quito, Ecuador.
2020. Samayuio, The Spirit of Quito’s River. Digital Photographic Portfolio. Winning a promotion grant from the IFCI (Institute for the Promotion of Creativity and Innovation). Culture Ministry of Ecuador. Quito, Ecuador.
2020. Diploma in Contemporary Art Photography. NODE CENTER. Berlin, Germany. Graduation project: Samayuio, The Spirit of Quito’s River.
2005. Bachelor in Photographic Design. INSTITUTO METROPOLITANO DE DISEÑO. Quito, Ecuador. Graduation project: Quito without shadows: A photographic studio about Catequilla, the real middle of the world.
© Mónica Aguilar V.