Sofia Jaramillo’s “A New Winter” Reclaims Visual Space in Elite Winter Sports
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A powerful new photographic project challenges the historically exclusive imagery of winter sports, centering racialized people within a landscape long dominated by a singular narrative. colombian-American photographer Sofía Jaramillo’s “A New Winter” isn’t about documenting reality, but about actively rewriting it, offering a compelling vision of inclusivity and belonging on the slopes.
Challenging a History of Exclusion
At first glance, Jaramillo’s photographs – depicting elegant figures on skis against the backdrop of the American West – appear familiar. However, a closer look reveals a deliberate subversion of established visual codes. The scenes, traditionally associated with white and elitist culture, are now inhabited by skiers of color.This intentional shift isn’t accidental; it’s a direct response to a personal and pervasive observation.
Growing up in Sun Valley, Idaho, a landmark resort and the birthplace of American skiing, Jaramillo noticed a glaring absence in the ancient record. “Among hundreds of historic photographs on display at Sun Valley Lodge, almost none showed people of color,” she explains. “It got me thinking about how visual history cultivates the present, and how the absence of depiction still resonates today on ski slopes, especially in rural communities.”
Rewriting the Narrative Thru Imagery
“A New Winter” emerges from a desire to address this historical imbalance, to visually propose a reality that should have always existed. Jaramillo views the medium of photography as a powerful “rewriting tool,” actively reshaping the collective imagination. She is drawn to images that capture the joy, leisure, and playfulness inherent in winter culture – qualities often denied to Black and Brown people in mainstream media and historical documentation.
“Reimagining these moments is at the heart of my creative process,” jaramillo states. Her work isn’t about presenting a “raw reality,” but about strategically reconfiguring perceptions. Inspired by the aesthetics of archives, fashion photography, and iconic figures like Slim Aarons and Toni Frissell, she crafts images where beauty serves a deeper purpose.
The Tension Between Beauty and Truth
Jaramillo deliberately explores the interplay between aesthetic appeal and social commentary. “I am drawn to the way images can convey cultural critique while remaining cinematic, emotional and inspiring,” she confides.This approach positions her work at the intersection of art and documentary, creating photographs that are both visually stunning and intellectually provocative.
Each image functions as a statement – a visual assertion that the mountain, and the experiences it offers, have always been meant for everyone. “A New Winter” doesn’t just show a different scene; it suggests a different history,and a more inclusive future.
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Why: Sofía Jaramillo’s photographic project, “A New Winter,” aims to challenge the historical lack of representation of people of color in winter sports imagery and reclaim visual space within the traditionally exclusive world of skiing. She seeks to rewrite the narrative and propose a more inclusive vision of who belongs on the slopes.
Who: Sofía Jaramillo, a Colombian-American photographer, is the creator of “A New Winter.” the project features skiers of color as subjects, intentionally subverting the historically white-dominated imagery of winter sports. The
