Ana Paula Fuentes
PHOTOGRAPHER

Ana Paula Fuentes Quintana, born in Mexico City in 1975, is a textile designer graduated from the Universidad Iberoamericana, with a postgraduate degree in fashion collection design from the Institute of Polytechnic Studies of Barcelona. For 18 years, she has resided in Oaxaca, where she has played a prominent role in the field of textiles, travel, management and cultural dissemination.
Ana Paula was the founding director of the Textile Museum of Oaxaca and has worked closely with various non-profit associations of artisans and designers. She has established links with several weaving cooperatives in Oaxaca, Guerrero and Chiapas, including Tixinda, La Sanjuaneras, Ñaa Ñanga, La Flor de Xochistlahuaca and El Camino de los Altos, among others.
Currently, Ana Paula holds the position of Director of the CADA Foundation (www.cadafoundation.org), a non-profit organization that cares about the future of cultural heritage, identity and the value of the local. Her work focuses on cultural photography and social design, using her creativity, passion and skills to capture images that reflect the richness and diversity of Mexico's textile cultures.
Ana Paula uses her experience as a designer to collaborate with artisan communities, fusing traditional techniques with contemporary designs. Her goal is to foster sustainable economic development and promote fair trade, especially among women artisans, whom she seeks to empower.
As a cultural photographer, Ana Paula documents the production processes of textiles, from material selection to dyeing and weaving. Additionally, she portrays the people involved in these creations, capturing their faces, hands, and their connection to tradition.
Ana Paula's work has been exhibited in galleries and museums in Mexico and abroad. Through exhibitions, conferences and workshops, she seeks to raise awareness about the importance of preserving and valuing Mexican cultural roots. Her conviction lies in the transformative power of textiles, capable of telling stories and strengthening the identity of the Mexican people.
In addition to her work as a photographer and designer, Ana Paula collaborates with educational organizations and institutions on projects that promote education and the dissemination of cultural heritage. Its objective is to foster pride and respect for traditions, as well as encourage the exchange of knowledge and collaboration between different communities.
In summary, Ana Paula Fuentes Quintana's career as a textile designer, cultural photographer and social designer focuses on the preservation and promotion of Mexican textile traditions.