Bio
Paula Gortázar (Ph.D) is a researcher, artist and lecturer based in London. In 2013 she was awarded a Full PhD Scholarship by the University of Westminster. Her thesis 'Transitional Frames: From Normalisation to Democracy. Czech and Slovak Art Photography (1968-1998)' was completed in 2018. The research examines the development of art photography practices in Czechoslovakia from the establishment of the ‘Normalisation’ period in 1968, until a decade after the collapse of its communist regime in 1989.
Her photography work has been widely exhibited in Canada, USA, Germany, the UK and Spain, including venues like The Photographers’ Gallery, and published in different international media, such as the British Journal of Photography. Alongside her research and artistic practice, she has worked as a lecturer for various UK institutions including Kingston University and the University of Westminster, and participated in several international conferences, symposiums and seminars.
EXHIBITIONS
Paula Gortázar, Common Space, White Box Gallery, London, UK, (Solo Show), 2017
Paula Gortázar: Uncharted Territory, Bildkur Galerie, Stuttgart, Germany, (Solo Show) 2015
Celebrating Europe, Kaunas Photo Festival, Kaunas Photography Gallery, Lithuania, 2014
On Borrowed Time(s), Institute of International Visual Arts, London, UK, 2014
Guernsey Photography Festival, Guernsey, Channel Islands, 2014
White Wall P2P, PhotoEspaña, Madrid, Spain, 2014
Of the Afternoon, Darnley Galley, London, UK, 2014
SANP!, Arta Gallery, Toronto, Canada, 2014
XIV Encuentros de Arte Contemporaneo, MUA, Alicante, Spain, 2014
Contexto Critico: Fotografía Española Siglo XXI, Tabacalera, Madrid, Spain, 2013
Archisle Prize, Berni Gallery, Jersey, UK, 2013
Northen Lights, Harrow Arts Center, London, UK, 2013
Flash Fordward Festival, The Magenta Foundation, Boston, USA, 2013
Westphoto Photography Prize, Touring exhibition in London, Wales, Edimburgh and Belfast, UK, 2013
Fresh Faced & Wild Eyed, The Photographers' Gallery, London, UK, 2012
Magnum Agency & IdeasTap Photographic Award, London Film Museum, UK, 2012
Sony World Photography Awards, Somerset House, London, UK, 2012
Flash Forward, Regent Park Arts & Cultural Centre, Toronto, Canada, 2012
Power Games, Dreamspace Gallery, London, UK, 2012
Index7, London Photomoth, Protein Gallery, UK, 2011
Ambika P3 Gallery, London, M.A Photographic Studies Exhibition, UK, 2011
Interim show, West Gallery, London, UK, 2011
Círculo de Bellas Artes, Madrid. “Free Hope” project projection, Spain, 2010
Central Saint Martins College of Art. Degree Show, UK, 2010
S.I.A.P, Contemporary Art Fair, Madrid, Spain, 2009
FLECHA. Contemporary Art Fair, Madrid, Spain, 2009
GRANTS & AWARDS
Art Residency, Nida Art Colony, Vilnus Academy of Arts, Lithuania, 2014
Selected XIV Concurso Internacional Encuentros de Arte Contemporaneo, MUA, Spain, 2014
PhD Scholarship, University of Westminster, London, UK, 2013
2nd Prize Winner, Archisle Photography Prize, Jersey, UK, 2013
Fresh Faced & Wild Eyed Winner, The Photographers' Gallery, London, UK, 2012
Magnum Agency and IdeasTap Photographic Award Finalist, London, UK, 2012
Flash Fordward Festival Winner, Toronto, Canada, 2012
Sony World Photography Awards, Nominated for Best Architectural Photography, UK, 2012
2nd Prize Winner, WESTPHOTO Annual Photography Prize, UK, 2012
Source Magazine Graduate Photography oficial selection by Stephanie Braun, UK, 2011
Finalist Julia Margaret Cameron Award, Best documentary photography, USA, 2011
30 under 30 Women Photographers (selected), Photoboite, New York, USA, 2011
Honourable Mention, Roberto Villagraz Prize, Spain, 2008
PUBLICATIONS
Exit Magazine, Spain, 2017
XL Semanal, ABC, Spain, 2016
Celebrating Europe, Kaunas Photo Festival, Exhibition Catalogue, Lithuania, 2014
On Borrowed Time(s), Exhibition Catalogue Institute of International Visual Arts, London, UK, 2014
Of the Afternoon, UK, 2014
XIV Encuentros de Arte Contemporaneo, Exhibition Catalogue, MUA, Alicante, Spain, 2014
Contexto Critico: Fotografía Española Siglo XXI, Exhibition Catalogue, Madrid, Spain, 2013
Archisle Prize, Exhibition Catalogue, Berni Gallery, Jersey, UK, 2013
Flash Fordward Festival, Exhibition Catalogue The Magenta Foundation, Boston, USA, 2013
Westphoto Photography Prize, Exhibition Catalogue Touring, UK, 2013
Art Wednesday, UK, 2013
Arquitectura Viva, Spain, 2013
El Ibérico, UK, 2013
British Journal of Photography, UK, 2012
Falsh Forward Festival Catalog, Canada, 2012
Sony World Photography Awards, Winners Book, UK, 2012
30y3, Spanish Photography Now, Madrid, Spain, 2012
Incandescent Zine, Portland, Oregon, USA, 2012
Protein Journal, Protein Gallery, London, UK, 2011
The Telegraph, London, UK, 2011
Lens Scratch Blogzine, USA, 2011
Plástica Magazine, Madrid, Spain, 2011
F-stop Magazine, London. UK, 2011
Photoboite, New York, USA, 2011
ABC, Spain, 2010
El Nuevo Herald, Miami, USA, 2010
Revista Hispano-Cubana, Madid, Spain, 2010
MU Art Magazine , Spain, 2009