Cristina de Middel (born 1975) is a Spanish documentary photographer and artist living and working in Uruapan, Mexico.^[1][2]

De Middel self-published The Afronauts in 2012, a photobook about the short-lived Zambian space program in Southern Africa.^[3][4] According to Magnum Photos, the book "explored the history of a failed space program in Zambia in the 1960s through staged reenactments of obscure narratives, challenging the traditional depiction of the African continent".^[5] The book quickly sold out and the work was met with critical acclaim.^[6][7][8][9] She was nominated for the 2013 Deutsche Börse Photography Prize for The Afronauts.^[10]

In 2013, de Middel received the Infinity Award from the International Center of Photography.^[11] In 2017 she became a nominee member of Magnum Photos^[12] and in 2022 became a full member.^[5] In June 2022, she became the first Spaniard to be elected president of Magnum Photos.^[13]

Exhibitions

• Close Enough: New Perspectives from 12 Women Photographers of Magnum, International Center of Photography, New York, 2022^[14]

Publications

Publications by De Middel

• The Afronauts. London: Self-published, 2012. ISBN 9788461585960. Edition of 1000 copies.
  • Second edition. Bilbao, Spain: This Book Is True, 2016. Edition of 1500 copies.
• Vida Y Milagros de Paula P (Life and Miracles of Paula P). Alicante, Spain: Museo de la Universidad de Alicante, 2009. Edition of 500 copies. Spanish. Early work featuring the "real story of a fake prostitute" Paula P.
• SPBH Book Club Vol III. London: Self Publish, Be Happy, 2013. Edition of 500 copies. ASIN B00D18UQ0C.
• Party: Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung. Madrid: RM; London: Archive of Modern Conflict, 2013. ISBN 9788415118671. Edition of 1500 copies.
• Afronauts. Zine Collection 12. Paris: Edition Bessard, 2014. ISBN 979-10-91406-02-4. Edition of 300 copies.
• This is What Hatred Did. Mexico; Barcelona: RM Editorial / London: Archive of Modern Conflict, 2015. ISBN 9780992941383. With text by Amos Tutuola, "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts".
• Sharkification. São Paulo, Brazil: Editora Madalena, 2015. ISBN 9788569557074. Edition of 100 copies.
• Man Jayen. Pamplona, Spain: Trama, 2015. ISBN 978-84-8081-473-7. Catalogue of an exhibition held at the Museum of the University of Navarra. Edition of 1000 copies.
• Cucurrucucu. Bilbao, Spain: This Book Is True; self-published, 2016. ISBN 978-84-16282-65-4. With a text by Cuauhtémoc Medina.
• The Perfect Man. Madrid, Spain: Editorial La Fabrica, 2017. ISBN 9788417048396.
• Jungle Check Barcelona, Spain: Editorial RM, 2018. ISBN 978-84-17047-71-9.
• Midnight at the Crossroads Bilbao, Spain: This Book is True; self-published, 2018.
• Preparados, Listos, Archivo. Madrid, Spain: Spanish Ministry of Culture, 2018. ISBN 978-84-8181-724-9
• Gentlemen's Club Bilbao, Spain: This Book is True; self-published, 2023. ISBN 9788448268459
• The Kabuler Bilbao, Spain: This Book is True; self-published, 2023.

Publications about de Middel

• Cristina de Middel. Colleción PHotoBolsillo. Madrid: La Fábrica, 2015. ISBN 978-8416248230.

Awards

• Party: Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung won PhotoEspaña's Best Photography Book, international category award, 2014^[15]