Mia, Avril, Los Sitios
Kaleidoscope of dreams and reality
The Photographs of Leysis Quesada Vera
May 3rd 2024 to July 27th, 2024
“Los Sitios”, more than a simple place, became my sanctuary of dreams. During twelve years of inexhaustible inspiration, I realized my best moments in photography interwoven with Mia’s games and Avril’s dance. Here my children were transformed into the muse that pushed me to see the art of photography under a different light: my light. With the birth of my little one and the beginning of Avril’s studies at the School of the National Ballet, my lens was focused on them, capturing Mia’s freedom on the roof and Avril’s discipline during her rehearsals.
This period in Los Sitios was a chapter of beauty and deep reflection where the stillness imposed by COVID-19 became immortalized in my work. Princesa de los Sitios” and “Pas de Deux” were just a few of the works that have resonated with the public, realizing a special connection.
My photographic life may seem limited, but it is overflowing with longings and creativity. Everyday life has become intertwined with my art: my home, my neighborhood, my day to day. Each image is a fragment of my personal history, a visual chronicle of the barrio where I have lived the recent years of my life, of the precious instants of my daughters.
We are a scalene triangle: the three of us united in our singularity, each one following their own path, but always converging in a common place of love and unity.
The essence of Mia’s personality reflected through her imagination, through an innocent perspective that contrasts with reality. The elegance and the bearing of Avril as manifested in dance. The ephemeral beauty of movement, immortalized for eternity in a static image, everything is summarized in art, in its most natural and sincere form, as fundamental elements of my work.
This exhibition is an homage to them, my major inspiration and motivation.
In addition, this exhibit is a dialogue with my past, an evocation of my humble roots and infancy. My work explores life in arginal barrios, capturing the hope and the beauty of adversity.
Capturing life just as it is, highlighting its essence through natural light and the authenticity of its people, is my art. By exposing my humble life, social inequality is also denounced. My work is a journey that seeks beauty in simplicity, in the most modest stages, relating the lives of those that, despite having little, have many dreams.

Avril, ojos cerrados 2019 70x50 cm

El Tutû 2015 55x35 cm

Avril Bailarina, 2014 50x33 cm

The Blue Dancer 2014 120x81 cm

Avril en tutú rojo 2018 30x45cm

Avril´s Back 2023 80x55 cm

Avril en pose de ballet 2020 30x45 cm

Mia Bailarina 2015 50x33 cm

The 3 Dancers 2014 30x45 cm

La Chica del Arbol 2017 50x75 cm

El Espejo de Avril 2020 30x45 cm

Back to the reality 2018 30x20 cm

La Aceptación 2018 30x20 cm

Rufo y Mia, friendship 2018 30x20 cm

El reino de Mia 2018 30x20 cm

El vestido de la princesa 2018 30x20 cm

The Speech 2018 30x20 cm

Mia con Tutú Romántico, la Alfombra Roja 2019 30x45 cm

Mia in Pink 2018 35x25 cm


El Espejo 2018 30x20 cm

La toma de Los Sitios 2018 30x45 cm

El Sueño Roto 2018 30x20 cm

Princess Mia and Sir Rufus the 1st 2018 30x45 cm

Mia, Liz y Avril en la azotea 2018 30x45 cm

Avril and the Green Wall 2019 35x25 cm

The Red Dancer 2014 30x45 cm

Sed 2012 55x36 cm

Retrato de Mercy y Patricia 2017 80x55 cm

El Sueño 2018 40x60 cm

Retrato de Mia 2021 80x55 cm

The Lockdown 2021 35x25 cm

The Flying Pigeon 2015 30x45 cm

La Sàbanas Blancas 2012 50x33 cm

Las Chacualas 2018 40x60 cm

The Doll 2018 30x20 cm

Avril and the Rainbow 2014 30x45 cm

El Viaje 2016 26x40 cm

Reflejo de Avril 2008 30x20 cm

Retrato de Avril 2010 40x60 cm

El Encierro 2020 50x33 cm

El Reflejo 2019 30x45 cm

La Santa 2008 30x20 cm

Makeup 2019 40x26 cm

Mi Tia Lolita 2013 30x45 cm
Works Available - Inquire HERE