Dominican-born documentary photographer Alejandro Cartagena is known for his sharp and thoughtful approach to social issues, often exploring the complexities of suburban life and the impact of uncontrolled urban sprawl. His project Carpoolers, a series of images capturing Mexican workers travelling in pick-up trucks, is an emblematic work that combines art and social criticism. Recently, twelve works from this series were acquired by the prestigious National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, marking an important recognition for Cartagena and the relevance of his work.

A window into the lives of Mexican workers

The Carpoolers series was shot by Cartagena lurking on a bridge over highway 85, near Monterrey, Mexico. From this strategic position, the photographer immortalised workers who, in order to save on transport costs, share their journeys in pick-up trucks, sitting or lying down on the bodies of the vehicles. These images, which show the daily reality of men travelling to their workplaces, offer a raw and unfiltered perspective on the living conditions of the Mexican working class.

Other projects by Alejandro Cartagena

Carpoolers is not an isolated project in Cartagena’s career, but part of a broader visual investigation the artist is conducting into the environmental, demographic and economic transformations of his hometown of Monterrey. Previous projects, such as Suburbia Mexicana, have already explored similar themes, showing Cartagena’s deep commitment to telling the stories of the dramatic transformations that are shaping contemporary Mexico.