Guadalupe Laiz: Documenting wildlife across continents, showcased in Aspen

Guadalupe Laiz is a prominent figure in the art and conservation world, with a profound dedication to capturing the beauty of nature and raising awareness about environmental issues through her photography.

Born in Argentina and now based in Aspen, her work spans continents and focuses primarily on documenting indigenous horses in Iceland and wildlife in Africa.

As a young girl growing up on Argentina’s Atlantic coast, Laiz was drawn to animals and photography, but she couldn’t have imagined where those two passions would lead her.

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“I never thought that I would be here today. My life has been a series of events that I almost feel like a higher power has guided me through,” she said. “I grew up as a sensitive, very introverted kid. Around eight or nine I discovered a camera in my house that my dad brought from Canada and started playing with it and developing the film. And it was my tool to be behind the camera and hide.”

At 20, Laiz decided to follow her heart to Colorado to study and pursue a life behind the lens. She knew some family friends in the Denver area but landed in the Roaring Fork Valley taking classes in Glenwood Springs at Colorado Mountain College.

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“I have to give CMC some credit (in my success) because that little school was so good and no one knows about it,” she said. “And looking back, I think they don’t have the credit they should have as a photography school. It’s really good.”

She promised herself that if she could get a photography degree she would make a career out of it. It wasn’t a straight line to finding her path which led her to work multiple jobs and start her career in commercial and fashion photography in Paris. One of her commercial gigs was shooting cityscapes all over Europe when a friend invited her to visit Iceland.

The six days she spent there changed her life.

“I went to Iceland, got out of the car, and five minutes later, I was surrounded by I don’t know how many horses, and I was like, ‘What is going on here?’ I fell in love, and that was it,” she recalled.

Her photography series, “Horses of Iceland,” has garnered international acclaim and has been exhibited globally. Laiz’s approach emphasizes patience and a deep connection to the natural world, allowing her to create stunning imagery that resonates with viewers.

“When I started photographing the horses, it almost felt like everything was going to be OK without even having any kind of backup, financial backup, or anything. So it was interesting for me,” she said. “And because of Iceland and the Icelandic horses, I got curious about photographing other animals. So that’s when I started going to Africa and the Arctic.”

Beyond her artistic achievements, Laiz collaborates with various nonprofit organizations dedicated to environmental conservation and animal welfare. She partners with groups such as The Diane Fossey Foundation and Save Giraffes Now, among others, demonstrating her commitment to making a tangible impact through her art and advocacy.

Six years ago, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of opening her art gallery at 306 S. Mill St. in Aspen.

“I came to Aspen for a weekend, and I was so impressed with the number of art galleries here. And I knew that I wanted to live in Colorado. People were telling me that I was crazy, that it was impossible to make a living or survive or find a place to live. I said, ‘No, I’m eventually going to have an art gallery in Aspen,'” she said. “When I put my mind to something, I make it happen.”

For the first time Laiz will bring her work to Intersect Aspen Art and Design Fair, during what has become known as Aspen ArtWeek, when artists, collectors, gallerists, and others in the greater art business descend on Aspen culminating in the Aspen Art Museum’s annual ArtCrush gala.

Laiz’s work not only celebrates the natural world but also serves as a powerful catalyst for education and advocacy, encouraging individuals of all generations to consider their impact on the planet and take steps toward preservation and protection. Her artistic vision and humanitarian efforts make her a significant voice in the intersection of art, conservation, and global awareness.

“Guadalupe’s commitment to patience in her process delivers uniquely stunning images that bring us into a natural world that is not available to many,” said Tim von Gal, Intersect Art and Design CEO. “We are extremely proud to have her voice and message of conservation reflected in the dialog at
Intersect Aspen this year.”

Laiz’s presence and contributions underscore Intersect Aspen’s focus on the environment and social consciousness. Her participation in panel discussions and exhibitions aligns with the fair’s mission to promote dialogue and inspire action toward sustainability and conservation.

This year Intersect Aspen Art and Design Fair 2024 returns to The Aspen Ice Garden on Tuesday, July 30 through Saturday, Aug. 3.

The event showcases a diverse array of artwork from top international and national galleries, along with engaging thematic programming and panel discussions. Over 100 artists and more than 30 top galleries from around the world will participate, including first-time exhibitors.

The fair will explore four main themes: The Environment, Social Consciousness, Design, and The Aspen Art Journey, reflecting the local community’s values and interests.

Highlighting the program is a panel discussion on The Environment, moderated by Ann Mullins, featuring distinguished panelists such as Meghann Riepenhoff, Nathan Kipnis, and Laiz. They will discuss the intersection of art, design, and environmental consciousness.

“Everything I know — to be more humble, to be kind to the planet, to be kind to one another — I learned from the animals,” she said. “I put everything I have into being with the animals and I try my best to talk about conservation. It’s so important.”

Sarah Girgis is the Arts and Entertainment Editor for The Aspen Times. She can be reached at 970-429-9151 or sgirgis@aspentimes.com.