Artist Statement

In this evolving project, I portray a distinctive interpretation of the female addict archetype. These portraits challenge societal personifications of women addicts as haggard, perpetually in angst, and destitute-attributes ubiquitous in pop culture and documentary photography. And there are no deficits of photographers exploring these devastating narratives with accuracy. However, as a recovering addict myself celebrating fifteen years sober, I became woke to the missing representation of women addicts who share my story. Through extensive research and interviews, I began to document women embracing a minimum of ten years with continuous sobriety. Some women attend twelve-step programs, which encourages anonymity, and chose to hide their identity in creative methods. I honor their requests with an understanding it is not from shame, but rather a decision that adheres to the sacred principal of the program. With the opioid epidemic reaching astronomical death rates, these women graciously share their stories in hope of encouraging other women to seek help and put an end to their suffering. My subjects come from various upbringings, race, and economic status and rejoin society as productive empowered women who confront bliss or hardships without the use of impetuous vices. They volunteer their time with a firm public message acknowledging that without a solid foundation and proactive recovery plan, death by way of addiction is inevitable.

My objective is not to negate other photo projects depicting the shatter lives women endure because of drugs and alcohol. My goal is to demonstrate that successful long-term sobriety is achievable, despite the statistics. And even though our stories are not the rule but the exception, I am determined to locate and document these women so we may celebrate their strength, dignity, perseverance, and provide a high-profile platform that amplifies their voices.

Website: www.ladealba.co

Rocio De Alba’s artwork will be present in our virtual exhibition on Thursday January 23rd only.

New Brunswick Art Salon 2025 – Photography: “Beyond the Image: Unveiling Hidden Narratives”

Education

  • 2007 – Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography | School of Visual Arts | New York Dean’s List 2006
  • 2016 – FotoVisura Guild–Two-Year Mentorship Program Completed adult continuation courses with renowned instructors at the following institutions: International Center of Photography | Center for Fine Art Photography | APERTURE Foundation | Flash Powder

Selected Awards and Contests

  • 2021 – PhotoLucida Critical Mass Finalist
  • 2018 – Center for Photography Woodstock – Recipient of Artist in Residency program
  • 2017 – NY Foundation for the Arts – Fellowship winner of the 2017 Artist as Entrepreneur Boot Camp Program
  • 2017 – NY Center for Photographic Art First Prize Winner |Same But Different | Juror: Darren Ching | New York
  • 2017 – Colorado Photographic Center Cotton Head Image | Honorable Mention |Juror: Rebecca Robertson-PDN
  • 2017 – Griffin Museum of Photography Nominated artist solo exhibition | Juror: Paula Tognarelli | Massachusetts
  • 2017 – Center’s Review Santa Fe One of 100photographer to attend annual portfolio review| New Mexico
  • 2017 – Artist Portfolio Magazine Honorable Mentioned| 5 Year Anniversary Art Exhibition| Juror: Ingrid Reeve
  • 2017 – Your Daily Photograph Cotton Head–Girl Anachronism | Curator: Danielle Miller | Featured artist
  • 2016 – NY Times Portfolio Review (invitation only) |Chosen from 3500 International Submissions
  • 2016 – International Photo Awards (IPA) Three Honorable Mentions (PRO CATEGORY) for Girl Anachronism: People–Family; Fine Art–Portrait; People–Self-Portrait
  • 2016 – Ozone Zone Photo Salon Image Finalist | Open Theme: Color | British Columbia | Canada
  • 2016 – Dark Room Gallery Juror’s Choice | Seities and Selves | Juror: Aline Smithson | Vermont
  • 2016 – Visura scholarship recipient Edit retreat with Deborah Dragon-Photo Editor Rolling Stones | Vermont
  • 2016 – Latin American Fotografía 4 Competition | Top 50 finalists | Award ceremony held in New York

Solo Exhibitions

  • 2018 – Karen Mannix Contemporary – Honor Thy Mother | Curator: Karen Mannix | East Hampton
  • 2018 – Greenpoint Gallery – Honor Thy Mother | Curator: Shawn James | Brooklyn
  • 2017 – Griffin Museum of Photography – Honor Thy Mother | Curator: Paula Tonnarelli | Massachusetts
  • 2017 – Province Center for Photography – Honor Thy Mother | Curator: Peter Miller | Rhode Island
  • 2017 – Ross Contemporary – Honor Thy Mother | Curator: Terry Ruggio Ross | Chicago
  • 2017 – New York Times Lens – There is a Crack in Everything | Curators: James Estrin and David Gonzalez

Group Exhibitions

  • 2023 – The Curated Fridge – PAQEY | Culture Lab LIC | Curator: Yorgos Efthymiadis
  • 2019 – Ross Contemporary – Girl Anachronism |Bridgeport Art Center | Curator: Terry RossCulture LabGirl Anachronism|
  • 2019 – Culture Lab – LIC | Curator: Orestes Gonzalez
  • 2019 – Lens Culture – Thy Sister Thy Mother | Online featured artist | Curator: Sophie White
  • 2019 – NBC Instagram – Cake Talk | Selected Instagram Artist | Image commissioned by: Ata-Boy
  • 2018 – Colorado Arts Center – Girl Anachronism | Hal Gould Vision Auction | Curator: Samantha Johnston
  • 2017 – Shangtuf Exhibition – Honor Thy Mother | Yixian Photography Festival| Curator: Guo Jing | China
  • 2017 – Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival – She Who Found Grace | Short Listed | Juror: Tina Stellhorn | Georgia
  • 2017 – Fall Line Press – Miracle Baby |Annual Photography & The Artist Book| Curator: Bill Bowling
  • 2017 – Howard Greenberg Gallery – Honor Thy Mother | Center for Photography at Woodstock Benefit Auction
  • 2017 – Blue Sky Gallery Portland – There is a Crack in Everything | Eclipse | Curator: Chris Rauschenberg
  • 2017 – Candela Gallery Virginia – Girl Anachronism | Unbound6! | Curator: Gordon Stettinius/Ashby Nickerson
  • 2017 – Colorado Arts Center – Girl Anachronism | Annual Member Show | Juror: Rebecca Robertson-PDN
  • 2017 – In Focus Self-Published Contest – Miracle Baby Book Winner |Phoenix Art Museum| Curator: Rebecca Senf
  • 2017 – South x Southeast – Girl Anachronism | Portraits| Curator: Elizabeth Avedon | Georgia
  • 2017 – Bronx Academy of Arts – Honor Thy Mother |Benefit Fundraiser | Curator: Justin Crowley | New York
  • 2017 – She Recovers Convention – There is a Crack in Everything |Conrad Hotel |Self Curated| New York
  • 2017 – Life Framer Collection – She Who Found Grace | Invited to artist roster by co-founder Ralph Wilson
  • 2017 – Foley Gallery New York – She Who Found Grace | Analog vs. Digital | Curator: Sherri Littlefield
  • 2016 – Camera Club of New York – Girl Anachronism |Annual Photo Auction |Curator: Libby Pratt
  • 2016 – DOC16 Exhibition – Miracle Baby Book |Festival Fotografia – Barcelona |Curator: Ines Casals
  • 2016 – Month of Photography L.A. – Miracle Baby |Connections – Pro’Jekt | Curator: Scott Thode
  • 2016 – Vermont Center Photography – Girl Anachronism |Open Juried Exhibition | Juror: Paula Tognarelli
  • 2016 – Elder Museum of Nebraska – Miracle Baby Book |Photographs by Mothers | Curator: Larry Gawel
  • 2016 – Darkroom Gallery – Girl Anachronism | Deities and Selves 1st place |Juror: Aline Smithson
  • 2015 – Flowers Gallery New York – Two Sides of a Coin | Small is Beautiful | Curator: Brent Beamon
  • 2015 – SoHo Photo Gallery – Two Sides of a Coin | Annual Competition |One Juror: Elizabeth Avedon
  • 2015 – Detroit Center of Photography – Girl Anachronism |New Directions Gallery | Curator: Kottie Gaydos
  • 2015 – Center for Fine Art Photography – Girl Anachronism |Forward Exhibition | Juror: Hamidah Glasgow
  • 2015 – LightBox Independent Image |Mobile Magic XIX | Won gallery committee’s choice
  • 2015 – Women’s Caucus For Art – Girl Anachronism | Who’s Afraid of Feminism | Juror: Catherine Morris
  • 2015 – A.I.R Gallery Brooklyn – Girl Anachronism | Wish You Were Here | Curated by the A.I.R. Directors
  • 2015 – Women’s Caucus for Art – Girl Anachronism | Old Enough to Know Better | Juror: Eileen Neff
  • 2014 – Benedictine University Illinois – Girl Anachronism |21st Century Portraiture| Curator: Ellen Wallenstein
  • 2014 – Flowers Gallery New York Girl Anachronism| Small is Beautiful | Curator: Brent Beamon
  • 2014 – Photo Place Vermont – Girl Anachronism | Dreams and Illusions | Juror: Nicholas Kahn
  • 2014 – The Print Center Pennsylvania – Two Sides of a Coin |88th Annual Competition | Juror: Julia Dolan
  • 2014 – LACREA – Girl Anachronism | ARTernate | Curator: Luis Carle| New York