Esther Grass Vergara is a Chilean photographer and visual artist based in Santiago, Chile. She is best known for her work in documentary photography, which often focuses on social issues and the lives of marginalized communities.
Born in Santiago, Chile in 1982, Esther was raised by her parents who were both teachers. From a young age she was exposed to the arts and developed an interest in photography. She studied at the University of Chile where she earned a degree in Visual Arts with a specialization in Photography.
In 2006, Esther began working as a freelance photographer for various publications and organizations. Her work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and National Geographic. She has also worked with organizations such as Amnesty International and UNICEF to document human rights issues around the world.
In addition to her documentary work, Esther has also created several personal projects that explore themes of identity and belonging. Her series “The Other Side” (2009) focused on the lives of immigrants living in Chile while “The Invisible” (2012) explored the lives of people living with disabilities. In 2017 she released her first book “The Unseen” which featured photographs from her travels around Latin America.
Esther’s work has been exhibited internationally including at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) in Santiago, Chile; The Photographers Gallery in London; and The Bronx Documentary Center in New York City. In 2018 she was awarded the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship for her ongoing project “The Unseen” which focuses on documenting life along the US-Mexico border.
Esther continues to use photography as a tool to explore social issues and tell stories that are often overlooked or ignored by mainstream media outlets.