The predominately black-and-white photographs of Isabel Muñoz offer a passionate study of the human form in all its permutations and range of motions. Born in Barcelona in 1951, Muñoz moved to Madrid in 1970, where she registered to study photography at Fotocentro in 1979. Upon graduation, Muñoz worked for the commercial sector, but later relocated to New York to further her training at the School of Visual Studies, Rochester and International Center of Photography, New York. During this time, Muñoz first began to experiment with extra large formats and traditional printing techniques, notably the meticulous hand-processed platinum developments that she has been using up to the present. Following her studies, Muñoz returned to Madrid, where she held the first exhibition of her work, Toques, in 1986. Between 1990 and 2007, Muñoz travelled the world, photographing peoples from Ethiopia, Cuba, China, Egypt, Iran, Papua New Guinea, and elsewhere. Given her personal background in dance, Muñoz is particularly keen to capture the body in motion, whether the subject be engaged in the tango, flamenco, Khmer ballet, or belly-dance. While Muñoz is careful to highlight the traditions and cultural specificities of her subjects, her work points to a shared humanity expressed though universal gesture and emotion.

Muñoz has been recognized by numerous awards and distinctions, including the Spanish Ministry of Culture Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts (2009), two World Press Photo prizes (2000 and 2004), and Biennial of Alexandria Gold Medal (1999), among others. Her photographs are in such international collections as Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid; Fundación Foto Colectania, Barcelona; Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Paris; New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York; and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, among many others. Muñoz lives and works in Madrid.

CEJ