Ruvén Afanador

Monographs Torero Afanador's first book, Torero (2001), is a collection of portraits of aspiring bullfighters in his native Colombia, during various stages of preparation for the corrida. Afanador's future partner, Edward Bess, appears in the book as a "faun-like creature". The monograph features flamenco dancers, photographed over two and a half years in Andalusia. The subjects were men of all types, variously styled with oversized mustaches, flowing dresses, thick black eye makeup, or simply nude. A documentary titled Ángeles gitanos was created as a making-of for the book. To make portraits of women, men, and children from Colombia's indigenous communities, including the Wayuu, Guna-Dule, Misak, and Arhuaco peoples, 2022: Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery "Portrait of a Nation" program: His 2013 portrait of civil rights activist Marian Wright Edelman was acquired for the museum's permanent collection 2025: The Ballet Nacional de España production Afanador, named for him and inspired by the flamenco photography of his Mil besos and Ángel gitano, won five Premio Max awards, including Mejor Espectáculo de Danza (Best Dance Show)

Publications Torero (2001). Prologue by Héctor Abad Faciolince. Zurich: Edition Stemmle. Sombra (2004). Prologue by Jean-Paul Gaultier. London: Merrell Publishers. Mil besos (2009). New York: Rizzoli. Ángel gitano: The Men of Flamenco (2014). New York: Rizzoli. Hijas del agua (2020). With Ana González Rojas. Bogotá: Ediciones Gamma.