Colita, whose real name is Isabel Steva Hernández, was born on August 24, 1940, in Barcelona, in the Eixample neighborhood. Defying family expectations of becoming a pharmacist, she immersed herself in the world of photography from an early age. Her...
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Colita, whose real name is Isabel Steva Hernández, was born on August 24, 1940, in Barcelona, in the Eixample neighborhood. Defying family expectations of becoming a pharmacist, she immersed herself in the world of photography from an early age. Her father, a French-speaking engineer, gave her her first camera at age 12 and nicknamed her "Colita," derived from the idea that she was born under a cabbage, a fantasy with French overtones.
After studying French Civilization at the Sorbonne in Paris after completing her pre-university studies, she returned to Barcelona. There, she trained as a professional photographer under the tutelage of Oriol Maspons, Julio Ubiña, and Xavier Miserachs. Her career was marked by collaborations with flamenco artists, especially Antonio Gades and La Chunga, culminating in the publication of her book "Luces y sombras del flamenco" (Lights and Shadows of Flamenco) in 1975.
During the final years of Franco's regime, Colita became involved in progressive media such as Fotogramas and Tele/eXprés, becoming part of the Barcelona School, a progressive film movement. Her first exhibition, "Evocation of Modernism," took place in 1965. Specializing in portraits, she was recognized as the photographer of Barcelona's Gauche Divine.
In 1971, his exhibition at the Aixelà Gallery, sponsored by "Bocaccio" and Oriol Regàs, was closed down by the police the following day, revealing his social vision of photography and his ideology.
Colita, a rebellious and committed figure, declared herself a feminist, leftist, and atheist at a time when expressing such ideas was not easy. Her work ranges from portraits of iconic figures such as Gabriel García Márquez and Salvador Dalí to reports on AIDS patients and various performances, showcasing the diversity of society and her commitment to documenting political change.
The photographer died at the age of 83 in Barcelona on August 24, 2023, due to peritonitis. Her legacy lives on through her extensive work and its impact on photojournalism and the cultural life of Barcelona. Colita will be remembered as a courageous artist who captured the essence of her time with humor and love, challenging conventions and leaving a lasting legacy in the history of photography.
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