Nudes nominee

In the city of Juarez Mexico, within walking distance of the Santa Fe bridge, there exists a red light district known as “La Zona.” Comprised of old hotels that were originally built in the 1950’s, La Zona is a hot spot for brothels and prostitution. Local cartels control the brothels.

Prostitution is highly stigmatized in Mexico due to gender expectations, yet it is also considered quasi legal as authorities turn a blind eye. Most of the women in these brothels are not from Juarez. Many of them are from Central America and arrive in Juarez with their families, hoping to cross the border. In such desperate situations, young women are vulnerable to being left behind, abducted, or exploited into forced prostitution.

As a Mexican woman born in the United States, I have been afforded opportunities that other women just like me have been denied. If the situation had been different, I could have ended up in Juarez like so many unlucky women. With my camera I hope to put a spotlight on the tragic fate of so many who have had their lives stolen from them with the hopes they get treated with the dignity they deserve.

Ada Trillo is an interdisciplinary artist who lives and works in Philadelphia. Born on the American/Mexican border, she is influenced by her cultural heritage of the Southwest and Mexico, traveling there frequently for her artistic practice. She studied in Italy and Philadelphia, and her work has been featured in solo, two-person, and group exhibitions. Trillo is represented by Racso Fine Arts and Twenty-Two Gallery.

Ada is currently working on a photo documentary exposé of low-cost sex workers in Mexico. The series includes both a collection of photos taken in the brothels of Mexico deglamorizing prostitution and showing the dehumanizing conditions of their work, as well as an artistic depiction of each woman's spirit inspired by on-site interviews conducted with each of them.

Exhibits:
How Did I Get Here- A solo photography show- Twenty- Two Gallery July13 to August 6th, 2017
Philadelphia Historic House Museum- Solo Show-May 26, 2016

Group
Caliban Revisited- The Da Vinci Art Alliance June 7th to June 25th, 2017
Works by Latin American Women-Three woman show- RACSO Gallery October 8th to November 8th, 2016
New Works by Jose Ortiz-Pegan and Ada Trillo- RACSO Gallery August 2016

Collections:
The Philadelphia Museum of Art

Awards:The photo Review contest edition