Sergio Valenzuela-Escobedo is an artist and researcher whose work lies at the intersection of artistic research, curatorial practice, and education. He holds a PhD in Photography from the École Nationale Supérieure de la Photographie (ENSP).
His research focuses on the genesis of the camera as a technical object in South America, envisioning it as a sacred box with mystical mechanics. In his thesis, Mänk’áčen, he explores the complex relationship between the invention of photography and the evolving decolonial landscape of the 21st century. As a curator, he has organised major exhibitions such as Mapuche at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris, as well as Monsanto: A Photographic Investigation and Geometric Forests, both premiered at the Rencontres d’Arles among many others. He mentors emerging photographers at the Market Photo Workshop in Johannesburg and at the ENSP in France.
He is the artistic director of doubledummy studio and a member of the International Association of Art Critics (AICA). His academic perspectives are regularly published in specialised journals such as Inframince (France), 1000 Words (London), and Mirà (Monaco). In 2025, he will serve on the jury for the Louis Roederer Discovery Award in Arles and as guest curator for the Bienal’25 Fotografia do Porto.