Sergio Valenzuela-Escobedo (Chile/France) is an artist and researcher whose work unfolds at the intersection of artistic inquiry, curatorial practice, and education. He holds a PhD from the ENSP Arles, and a degree from the National School of Fine Arts Villa Arson.
Over the years, Valenzuela-Escobedo has established his curatorial reputation through notable exhibitions. These include Mapuche at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris; Monsanto: A Photographic Investigation (winner of the Paris Photo/Aperture Book Award and finalist for the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2018); and Bosques Geométricos, both conceived and premiered within the framework of Les Rencontres d’Arles.
His trilogy Mama Coca, Ipáamamu, and Oro Verde, presented at Fotofestiwal Łódź, further reflects his sustained engagement with critical and ecological narratives.
In 2025, Valenzuela-Escobedo inaugurated a new chapter in his curatorial trajectory when he was appointed associate curator of the Porto Photography Biennale, where he presented Lightseekers, an ambitious five-part project conceived specifically for the event.
In 2027, he continues this path as associate curator of the Guyane Biennale, consolidating his role as a key voice in reimagining exhibition formats across the Global South.
For several years, he has also served as a mentor to emerging artists, collaborating with institutions ranging from the Market Photo Workshop in Johannesburg to the National School of Fine Arts in Dijon.
He has been a jury member for the Discovery Award of the Louis Roederer Foundation, presented within the context of the Arles Festival. Currently, he is an active member of the International Association of Art Critics (AICA) and serves as the artistic director of Double Dummy.
As a critic and researcher, Valenzuela-Escobedo regularly publishes essays and in-depth studies in journals such as Inframince (France), 1000 Words (UK), Mirà (Monaco), and Artyshock and Letargo (Chile).
