In 2023, the world witnessed a historic milestone as the number of displaced individuals globally surpassed 100 million, a figure not seen since the aftermath of the Second World War. This global crisis was particularly felt in the United States, largely driven by an influx of Venezuelans escaping poverty, violence, and political persecution. As the 2024 general election approaches, migration has become a contentious national issue, with xenophobia exploited as a potent political weapon.
Borders Cruzadas is a response to the critical issues arising in this charged atmosphere. In the fall of 2022, Oscar B. Castillo and Wil Sands joined forces to create Borders Cruzadas, a collaborative documentary photography project exploring the lived experience of human displacement. Frustrated by reductionist narratives that politicize the plight of people on-the-move, the two photographers aspired to explore the nuances and complexities of migration by expanding the visual language of documentary photography. Through a praxis of collaboration, Borders Cruzadas actively engages folks on-the-move in shaping narratives about their lives.
Borders Cruzadas leverages the universal power of photography and storytelling to foster a more inclusive and empathetic public discourse on immigration. By engaging and amplifying the experiences of those directly affected, Borders Cruzadas aspires to create a tool for understanding and, ultimately, impact local policy decisions surrounding immigration.
OSCAR B. CASTILLO
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Oscar B. Castillo embarked on a journey of self-discovery and exploration that would ultimately shape his life's work. After completing his studies in psychology at Venezuelan Central University, a profound curiosity and an unquenchable thirst for adventure led him across the vast landscapes of Europe. It was during these years of meandering through the intricate streets of foreign cities that Oscar found his true calling in the art of photography, which eventually drew him back into formal education in the captivating city of Barcelona, Catalonia.
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Throughout his professional career as a photographer, Oscar's focus has been resolutely dedicated to capturing social subjects that serve as catalysts for ideas of solidarity, tolerance, and respect. Simultaneously, his work challenges the established structures of economic and political power, as well as his own role within the photography industry and society as a whole, fostering a deeper and more meaningful discourse.
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Oscar's photographic journey has taken him to diverse corners of the world, including Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, Guyane, Greece, France, Spain, and many other countries. Oscar's work has been widely exhibited in prestigious venues in France, Italy, Austria, Cambodia, Bosnia, Colombia, Ecuador, and more. His compelling images have graced the pages of renowned publications such as Le Monde, New York Times, L.A. Times, The Wall Street Journal, Days Japan, Der Spiegel, NZZ, and Time Magazine.
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Notably, Oscar's dedication to using photography as a tool for social change has earned him recognition from esteemed organizations including a fellowship with the Magnum Foundation, where he focused on youth, incarceration, and reinsertion in Venezuela. Oscar's achievements include receiving the Eugene Smith Award, the Tim Hetherington Foundation Grant, and the Picture of the Year LatAm, among other honors and accolades.
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In parallel with his photographic pursuits, Oscar has developed a profound passion for teaching. He firmly believes that photography is not only an art form but also a powerful tool for education, inclusion, and social progress. As an instructor and teacher, Oscar has engaged in participatory photographic workshops with marginalized children in Mexico, young individuals in IDPs camps in post-earthquake Haiti, and inmates within Venezuelan prisons. Additionally, he has provided formal educational programs in countries such as Colombia, Argentina, Guatemala, Mexico, and Oscar's native Venezuela, all with the goal of empowering individuals through the transformative art of photography.
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Oscar is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.
WIL SANDS
Wil Sands, born in Nairobi, Kenya, to American parents, experienced a diverse upbringing that shaped his understanding of the world around him and would later define his storytelling. His formative years took him from the vibrant city of David, Panama, to rural landscapes in eastern Pennsylvania, eventually leading him to the sprawling suburbs of Chicago.
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Wil pursued his higher education at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, during which time he became actively engaged in student organizing efforts, particularly around prison abolition. This pivotal experience laid the foundation for his enduring dedication to social justice.
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After college, Wil made the life-changing move to Barcelona, Spain, where he immersed himself in political subcultures, finding resonance in the city's vibrant squat community. This experience fostered a deep commitment to community, radical solidarity, and mutual aid. It was during this period that he crossed paths with his close friend Oscar B. Castillo. Simultaneously, Wil discovered photography and delved into the rich history of documentary work that compelled society to confront some of its most unsettling truths. This love for the art form and the potential of journalism as a catalyst for change ignited a passion that would shape his future endeavors.
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As a journalist, Wil is steadfastly guided by the belief that journalism's pivotal role is to "hold truth(s) to power." As a photographer, he fervently seeks out visual stories that add nuance and complexity to public discourse, consistently challenging reductionist narratives that perpetuate the status quo.
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In 2011, Wil, alongside Guillaume Darribau, co-founded the Fractures Collective, an innovative platform focused on documenting the growing fractures at the intersections of economic, social, political, and environmental systems. This cooperative, characterized by a horizontal organizing structure, served a critical purpose of promoting each other's documentary photography in the competitive market of journalism.
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Recipient of multiple Pulitzer Center reporting grants, Wil has dedicated his career to long-format investigative reporting and documentary work. His work has found its way into prestigious publications such as The Washington Post, Harper's, Wired Magazine, Mother Jones, CNN, Newsweek, The Times of London, Liberation, L'Obs, and many others.
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In a remarkable and challenging turn of events in 2020, while covering the Black Lives Matter protests outside the White House, Wil was shot in the face with a less-lethal crowd dispersal munition. The injury resulted in permanent damage to the vision in his right eye, which he affectionately calls his "photographic eye." In the face of this trauma, Wil chose to expand his journalistic repertoire, leading him to explore writing more actively.
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Wil Sands is the proud father of two beautiful, polyglot children and the devoted partner of a powerful woman who shares his commitment to social justice. His life's work is a testament to his unwavering dedication to transformative storytelling and his relentless pursuit of a more informed, empathetic, and just world.
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Wil splits his time between Mexico City, Mexico, and the family farm in rural western Virginia.
