Kenny Lemes
Kenny Lemes was a Cuban-Argentine photographer known for his focus on the representation of diverse and dissident bodies. Born in Havana in 1985, he emigrated to Argentina at the age of 11, where he built a distinguished career in contemporary photography.
His work was characterized by portraying individuals who challenged hegemonic norms of beauty and gender, including sex workers, trans people, and neurodiverse individuals. Lemes sought to bring visibility to complex identities that refused to conform to heteronormative standards, showcasing beauty in diversity and marginality.
Throughout his career, he received accolades such as an Honorable Mention at the National Arts Fund Visual Arts Award in 2016 and second prize in Photography at the National Visual Arts Salon in 2021. His exhibitions included solo shows like Singular Fosforescencia at the Centro Cultural España Córdoba and Venus Perversa at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de La Boca (MARCO).
In 2024, he published his first photography book, Mariposas que vuelan de noche (Butterflies That Fly at Night), where he explored the bodily geography of suffering and tenderness, prioritizing close-ups and delicate lighting that highlighted the emotional depth of his subjects.
Tragically, Kenny Lemes passed away in February 2025 in Buenos Aires at the age of 39. His legacy endures in his ability to invite viewers to reflect on self and social perception, challenging conventions and celebrating human diversity.
