Mario Alzate is a Colombian photographer and visual artist based in Bogotá. He is best known for his work in documentary photography, which often focuses on the social and political issues of his home country.
Alzate was born in Bogotá in 1983 and grew up surrounded by the city's vibrant culture. He developed an early interest in photography, which he pursued while studying at the National University of Colombia. After graduating with a degree in Visual Arts, Alzate began to focus on documentary photography, exploring themes such as poverty, inequality, and violence.
In 2010, Alzate's work was featured in the exhibition "Colombia: A Photographic Journey" at the Museum of Modern Art in Bogotá. His photographs have also been exhibited internationally at galleries and festivals such as PhotoEspaña (Madrid), FotoFest (Houston), and Les Rencontres d'Arles (France). In addition to his exhibitions, Alzate has published several books of his work including "Colombia: A Photographic Journey" (2010) and "The Other Side of Colombia" (2013).
Alzate's work has been recognized with numerous awards including the World Press Photo Award for General News Singles (2012) and the Latin American Fotografía Award for Documentary Photography (2014). He has also received grants from organizations such as Magnum Foundation and Fundación Botín.
Today, Alzate continues to document life in Colombia through his photography while also teaching workshops on visual storytelling around the world. His work has been featured by publications such as The New York Times Magazine, The Guardian, TIME Magazine, National Geographic Magazine, and many more.