Diego Ibarra Sánchez

1982, Saragoza
Lives and works in Beirut

Diego Ibarra Sánchez is a documentary photographer based in Lebanon.

Diego assumes a very critical stance regarding the use of images in our own society, defining this historical moment as «lobotomized era of “tourism” on the other’s pain»: in his work he endeavors to ensure that photography is no longer merely a window allowing a view on what happens in the world, but becomes a means to raise questions and generate reflections. Diego Ibarra Sánchez’ gaze goes beyond the frontline, documenting and showing us all that is left behind after the bombings, the killings and the battles: a humanity that has nothing left beyond its life. He strongly believes in documentary photography as a catalyst, shaking consciences and showing the resilience and courage found in forgotten stories, always demonstrating a deep respect toward the story’s protagonist. He thinks the camera has the potential to create social change; to change people's minds and to change people's hearts".

Diego is very self-motivated, working on his own body of works while publishing many of his stories in numerous newspapers and magazines, such as The New York Times, Der Spiegel, Revista 5W, Al Jazeera , Diari ARA, UNHCR and UNICEF.... among others.

In 2006 several grants made it possible for Diego to spend a year in South America to improve his storytelling process. Upon returning to Spain he worked for two years for the Catalan newspaper Avui, while still continuing his own photography projects. In 2009 Diego decided to move to Pakistan where he developed a strong visual body of work focused on Pakistan. At the same time he continued travelling to several other countries including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Libya, Nigeria, and Tanzania. He left Pakistan in 2014 and he is currently based in Lebanon while he keeps traveling and working on his projects around Middle East.

He has been award with the Humanitarian award of AECID “Juan Bartolomé”, FINI´s Mexican University Photo Award, Aragón Journalism Association Award, two honorable mentions at National Press Photographers Association ( NPPA), First place at International Photographic Awards (IPA) and the Spanish Human Right Award with MeMo coop… His work has been exhibited in all around the world and his works has been highlighted during the screening nights of Visa pour L´image several times… among others mentions.

EXHIBITIONS AND MENTIONS (SELCTION):

2023
International Photo Award Esperanza Pertusa Hijacked Education
Trabajo destacado POY LATAM Fotoperiodistas por el mundo Syria and Iraq
Los desastres de las guerras. Tribute to Goya. Collective

2022
EWIPA International conference in #Dublin. UNICEF. Ireland
"Prólogo del Colapso: The Phoenician Collapse". Universidad de San Jorge- Archivo Jalón Ángel- Zaragoza, Spain
"El Colapso: The Phoenician Collapse". DKV: Fotografía con causa. Zaragoza, Spain
"The Phoenician Collapse" Beirut Image Festival. Lebanon.
The Phoenician Collapse. Xposure festival. United Arab Emirates
Photo book: The Phoenician Collapse.

2021
“En primera línea": Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory. South Africa
Hijacked Education. Xposure festival. United Arab Emirates.
Award of Excellence Pictures of the Year International 2021 for “THAWRA: Lebanese Revolution” in "Impact 2020: Protests and Movements"

2020
Getty Images Grant
Hijacked Education: Immagimondo Festival, Italy.
Thawra: Lebanese revolution. Screening night at VISA POUR L ÌIMAGE, Perpignan, France.
“En primera línea: Cervantes institute in Beirut, Lebanon.

2019
Fotofever night: 50th edition des Rencontres d’Arles representing Raffaella De Chirico contemporary art
Creadores de Conciencia by DKV Seguros at La Lonja, Zaragoza, Spain. GROUP
III International Conference on Safe Schools by Save The Children at Palma de Mallorca, Spain
2nd Place Photographer of the Year POY LATAM
"Traces of light" at Triennale Milano, Festival dei Diritti, by WeWorld Onlus, Milan, Italy. GROUP
MIA Art Fair with Raffaella De Chirico contemporary art, Milan, Italy
"ALIVE AND WELL" at Raffaella De Chirico contemporary art, #Turin, #Italy
"IRON KIDS" at Bienal de Córdoba, Spain
Creadores de Conciencia by DKV Seguros at Círculo de Bellas Artes, Madrid. Spain. GROUP
Best of 2018. The New York Times