Ada Trillo is a first-generation Mexican-American queer artist whose photography explores the intersections of identity, migration, and social justice. Born in El Paso, Texas, and raised in Juarez, Mexico, Trillo identifies as a product of the U.S.-Mexico border—a duality that shaped her perspective. As a teenager, she crossed the border daily to attend school in El Paso, witnessing migrants risking their lives to cross into the U.S. These formative experiences continue to drive her artistic vision and unwavering commitment to equity.
Trillo's photography is deeply informed by her background as a fine art painter, honed during over two decades of work after training in Italy. Her painterly approach brings a distinctive sensitivity to composition, light, and emotion in her images. Beyond her art, Trillo is dedicated to social impact, conducting workshops for at-risk youth to break down systemic barriers and inspire the next generation of diverse voices in the arts.
Her work is housed in the permanent collections of prominent institutions, including the Library of Congress and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She has been recognized with numerous accolades, such as the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship in Photography and the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage Fellowship.
In her monograph, La Caravana Del Diablo: On the Run from the Northern Triangle to America, Trillo chronicles seven years of traveling alongside Central American refugees and migrants. Her photographs have been published in The Guardian, Vogue, and Smithsonian Magazine, and exhibited in major cities worldwide.
Through her art and advocacy, Trillo continues to challenge perceptions, evoke empathy, and spark conversations about justice and representation, reaffirming the vital role of photography in shaping social change.