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Aperture: Elle Pérez on Working with Aperture

What’s it like to work with Aperture’s community of editors, writers, educators, and photographers, all invested in the value of thinking about images? In 2016, Aperture invited photographer and teacher Elle Pérez to present a portfolio of work in the “On Feminism” issue of Aperture magazine, and subsequently featured them in Tilda Swinton's “Orlando” magazine issue. Elle has now established roots in the art photography world. Hear how the experience of working with Aperture, as both an artist and a teacher, has been transformative for their work and career. In honor of #GivingTuesday, help start the journey for more emerging photographers gift at any level to Aperture.

In 2016, Aperture invited photographer and teacher Elle Pérez to present a portfolio of work in the “On Feminism” issue of Aperture magazine. As both an artist and avid Aperture reader, they became an enthusiastic participant. We subsequently featured them in two exhibitions, and a new body of their work was commissioned by Tilda Swinton for the “Orlando” magazine issue in 2019. Elle has now established roots in the art photography world—chosen for the 2019 Whitney Biennial, their photographs have also appeared on a hundred bus shelters throughout New York City. Please watch Elle’s video, in which they celebrate Aperture’s community of editors, writers, educators, and photographers, all invested in the value of thinking about images. Elle also talks about their educational projects and explains how the experience of working with Aperture, as both an artist and a teacher, has been transformative for their work and career. All of Aperture’s programs—the magazine, our books program, our exhibitions, and our online, engagement, and educational programs—serve to launch and disseminate new ideas and visions in photography. The many artists for whom we have played this transformative role include Nan Goldin, Justine Kurland, Deana Lawson, Hank Willis Thomas, Stephen Shore, Zanele Muholi, Rinko Kawauchi, Tyler Mitchell, Jamal Nxedlana, and Drew Nikonowicz. These artists use photography as their preferred tool for storytelling, imagining, engaging with the world, and speaking out. In the process, they are shaping our collective consciousness. We would be exceedingly grateful to have your support before December 31, 2019. Help the journey start for more fledgling photographers with a 100% tax-deductible gift to Aperture’s Annual Fund, or please consider joining or renewing as a member. https://aperture.org/annual-fund