Venezuela through young eyes: a photographer's act of remembrance
Silvana Trevale’s photographic project, Venezuelan Youth, isn’t merely a document of hardship; it’s a defiant act of remembering, a visual love letter to a nation grappling with crisis. Published by Guest Editions, the collection gathers images captured between 2016 and 2025, presenting a portrait of Venezuela filtered through the unique lens of its children and adolescents—a perspective often obscured by the relentless coverage of political and economic turmoil.
A nostalgia rooted in distance
Trevale, who left Venezuela at 17, conceived the project as both a tribute and an attempt to understand her homeland beyond the dominant narrative of misery. Her departure, she explains, amplified a longing for the seemingly insignificant details—the smell of the streets, the light, the cadence of everyday life—highlighting what she had unknowingly taken for granted. These small details, she says, became vital passages to reclaim what she had forgotten or missed.
What sets Venezuelan Youth apart is Trevale’s commitment to building trust and long-term relationships with her subjects. Rather than fleeting encounters, her work is characterized by sustained engagement, allowing her to capture a depth of character that transcends the immediate context of hardship. Confronted with systemic shortages of food and medicine, and the resulting loss of life, Venezuelan children exhibit a striking duality – a naive innocence juxtaposed with a premature awareness, a stoicism far beyond their years.
Beyond the headlines: a celebration of tradition
The project also evolved to include a focus on documenting and preserving Venezuelan traditions, celebrations, music, and dance—aspects often overlooked or minimized in international reporting. Trevale observed a crucial disparity between the reality lived by her family and the information disseminated through news channels. “It became apparent that our traditions are not spoken of or celebrated as much as they should be,” she notes, underscoring a desire to amplify the cultural richness of Venezuela.
One particularly poignant image, taken during a Vogue Latam photoshoot, depicts Roberta, a young trumpet player from Caracas, playing barefoot on her porch. Roberta's participation in “El Sistema,” Venezuela’s renowned social action orchestra programme, and her struggle with stage fright, provided a compelling illustration of the project’s core themes – resilience, hope, and the power of art to overcome adversity. Her father’s encouragement to play, surrounded by the scene Trevale was creating, perfectly embodied the spirit of the work.
Trevale deftly avoids the trap of romanticizing a bygone era, acknowledging that any nostalgia she feels is rooted in her parents’ recollections, experiences distinct from her own. Instead, she chooses to immerse herself in the present, listening to the stories of the young people she photographs, allowing their hopefulness to eclipse any longing for a Venezuela that no longer exists. The project stands as a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. The collection launches on May 7, 2026, and will be displayed at Guest Editions’ East London project space from May 7-30, 2026.