Sergio Purtell

Sergio Purtell is a photographer whose work explores the complexities of American society through the lens of displacement and cultural observation. Born in Santiago, Chile, he left his home country following the military coup and arrived in the United States as a 17-year-old exchange student in Hamilton, Ohio in 1972.

Purtell's approach to photography is intuitive rather than conceptual. He works by being present in public spaces, following his instincts to find moments where people reveal themselves authentically. His decades of experience attending parades, fairs, and community gatherings across America have given him a unique perspective on how Americans perform identity in public settings.

His first book Love's Labour with Stanley/Barker documented his travels across Europe and was published at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. The work served as an escape for readers during lockdown, though Purtell notes he could never have predicted its timing or relevance.

Now based in the United States, Purtell continues to photograph with the same curiosity that drove his early work. He believes in trusting instincts over concepts, allowing bodies of work to emerge naturally from consistent practice rather than forcing predetermined ideas onto his subjects. (Website, Instagram)