ÁLVARO LAIZ

Álvaro Laiz is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative endeavors thrive at the crossroads of art, technology, and ancestral wisdom. His extensive projects span various forms of expression, including photography, photobooks, installations, and video art. Within these diverse mediums, Laiz delves into the intricate interplay of biological, cultural, technological, and spiritual forces that shape the trajectory of the modern world. 

Through a dynamic interplay of human and natural sciences, his research explores the delicate boundary that separates the realms of the natural, the supernatural, and the artificial. Laiz's work provides a platform for engaging dialogues about the profound processes that shape the evolution of our world

In 2012, Álvaro Laiz held his first solo exhibition at the Fúcares gallery in Madrid, showcasing 'Transmongolian.' In 2014, coinciding with the presentation of the same project at the MAC/VAL museum in Paris, he commenced an artistic residency at the Cerezales Foundation to research the Russian Far East. This research culminated in the exhibition 'The Hunter' in 2015 at the foundation's León headquarters. 

By 2016, Laiz had become a National Geographic Explorer for his project 'The Edge.' This project combines science and ancestral culture, utilizing population genetics and data visualization to trace the footsteps of the first inhabitants of the American continent 20,000 years ago.In 2017, he published his first book, 'The Hunt' (Dewi Lewis / RM, 2017), presented at Les Rencontres d'Arles and recognized by the British Journal of Photography. In 2018, he continued his research as an artist-in-residence at the University of Navarra Museum. 

In 2019, Laiz was awarded a scholarship by the University of Oxford to conduct the 'The River Flows' project, combining archaeology and storytelling in Nicaragua. In 2020, he received the Storytelling Fellowship from National Geographic & Burroughs Welcome Fund, resulting in a six-year project spanning seven countries.'The Edge' debuted in 2022 at the MUN headquarters in Navarra, attracting over 18,000 visitors during its six-month exhibition. In 2022, he received the First Artistic Residency from the Campo Cerrado Foundation, leading to the 'Memoria de Invierno' project. In 2023, this project was unveiled at the foundation's temporary headquarters in Madrid. 

Laiz's work, including photographic compositions and video installations, is featured in public and private collections, including the Museum of the Americas, the University of Navarra Museum (MUN), and the INELCOM Collection of Contemporary Art. He has exhibited in museums such as the Musée d'Art Contemporain du Val-de-Marne (MAC/VAL) in Paris and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Castilla and León (MUSAC).

Awards and Grants (Selection)