Biography
Ileana, originally from Mexico City, is a professional in graphic communications and advertising. She completed her studies in San Diego, California, and then returned to Mexico City. She began her professional career working as a copywriter, graphic designer, and creative director at several advertising agencies. However, a strong artistic inclination, particularly in painting and photography, soon became her calling.
Ileana embarked on a path of exploration, delving into painting techniques and skillfully merging her photography and computer graphics skills to develop a unique visual expression. Today, she is an independent visual artist and photographer. Her artistic prowess has earned international recognition and accolades, including honors from prestigious organizations such as the Mobile Photo Awards, Mobile Camera Club, the Gala Awards (Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers), Tokyo International Foto Awards, Better Photography Magazine, Mobiography Awards, Mobgraphia Cultura Visual and Prix de la Photographie Paris.
Her work has graced exhibitions worldwide, from Brazil and South Korea to the United States, Hungary, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Turkey, and Argentina. In 2017, Ileana unveiled her debut solo exhibition, "Fragmentos de Luz," in Mexico City, marking a significant milestone in her artistic journey. She has also been featured in and collaborated with influential blogs focused on mobile art and photography.
Most recently, Ileana published her first book, titled "L'ego meurtri. Hommage à Gilbert Garcin."
Through her art, Ileana endeavors to evoke profound sensations. Her creations are a fusion of intertwined images and narratives, infused with her own emotions and feelings. She finds inspiration in life's minutiae and aims to transform them into emotionally resonant works that forge connections and strike a chord with the collective human experience.
Press
Education
- Graphic Communications, University of California San Diego, 1988.
- Radio & TV Commercial Copywriting, Columbia School of Broadcasting, 1988.
- Radio Announcer License A, Secretaría de Educación Pública, México, 1986.
- Diplôme De Langue Française de Paris, Alianza Francesa de México, 1985.
- Text-based Prompting for Professionals (Promptology I and Promptology II) with Boris Eldagsen. June-July 2023.
- Midjourney for Creatives with Nick St. Pierre. September-October 2023.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2023
"L'ego meurtri. Hommage à Gilbert Garcin." Photo Book Presentation and Exhibition, Patricia Mendoza Art Gallery, San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico.
2017
Fragmentos de Luz, German Centre, CDMX, Mexico.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023
MIRA Mobile Prize Street Photography Black & White 2023 Exhibition. Porto, Portugal.
Mobgraphia Mobile Photo Festival 2023. Sao Paolo, Brazil.
"Upside Down" A curated international photography exhibition. PH21 Gallery. Budapest, Hungary. "Public Space: by Ileana Montaño
2022
MIRA Mobile Prize Street Photography Black & White 2022 Exhibition. Porto, Portugal.
MIRA Mobile Prize 2022 Exhibition. Porto, Portugal.
2021
Barcelona Foto Biennale. FotoNostrum, The Mediterranean House of Photography. Barcelona, Spain.
Melancholia a FotoNostrum Exhibition, The Mediterranean House of Photography. Barcelona, Spain.
2020
All Colors of the World, Palazzo di Città. Cagliari, Italy.
2019
The Beauty Myth Exhibition, Copernico Gallery, Milan, Italy.
2018
"Mobile" A juried international photography exhibition. PH21 Photography Gallery. Budapest, Hungary.
2017
Festival e Prêmio Latino Americano de Mobgraphia 2017. Museu da Imagem e Do Som. Sao Paolo, Brazil.
Awards
2023
First Prize in the Digital Art Category. Mobgraphia Mobile Photo Festival 2023. Sao Paolo, Brazil.
2022
Gold Winner in Fine Art. PX3 Prix de la Photographie de Paris. Paris, France.
Black & White Prize Shortlist 2022 MIRA Mobile Street Photography. Porto, Portugal.
MIRA Mobile Prize Shortlist 2022. Porto, Portugal.
2021
Photographer of the year 2021 Nomination. Mobiography Awards: Digital Art Honorable Mention and Street and Urban Honorable Mention.
Self Portrait Series Honorable Mention. The World WidePhotography Gala Awards: 16th Julia Margaret Cameron Awards for Women Photographers.
Self Portrait Honorable Mention, Fine Art Honorable Mention. 10th Annual Mobile Photo Awards.
2020
Mobile Digital Art and Creativity Summit (MDAC 2020). Top 11 Winners. California, USA.
Self Portrait Honorable Mention. 9th Annual Mobile Photo Awards.
2019
Fine Art and Self Portrait Categories Honorable Mentions. The World WidePhotography Gala Awards: 14th Julia Margaret Cameron Awards for Women Photographers.
2018
Self Portrait Honorable Mention. 7th Annual Mobile Photo Awards.