Joan Fontcuberta (b. 1955) is a Spanish conceptual artist, writer, and curator known for challenging the perceived truth of photography. Through elaborate hoaxes and fictional archives, he creates meticulously crafted images and documents that blur the line between fact and fiction. His most famous series, such as Herbarium and Fauna, present fabricated botanical specimens and non-existent animals that initially appear to be scientific records. By revealing these works as fabrications, Fontcuberta forces viewers to question the credibility of photographic evidence and the narratives presented by institutions. His work is held in major museum collections worldwide, and he was awarded the prestigious Hasselblad Foundation International Award in Photography in 2013 for his influential and critical contributions to the medium.
Joan Fontcuberta
Altos Hornos de Vizcaya Baracaldo, Spain