Diego Moreno's 'Influências Malignas' Series Explores Monstrosity and Family Violence

Mexican visual artist Diego Moreno presents his photographic series 'Influências Malignas' (2020), which examines themes of monstrosity, family violence, and societal norms through manipulated images. The series, created by Moreno who hails from San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas, Mexico, features digitally altered photographs depicting children and family members in conventional domestic settings with monstrous physical transformations. Works like 'Pactos' (2020) show children with facial disfigurements during birthday celebrations, while other pieces such as 'Duas luas de outubro' (2020) and 'O primeiro sacramento' (2020) continue this exploration of familial rituals. Moreno manually retouched the photographs using colored pencils, graphite, pen nibs, highlighters, oils, chlorine, and vinegar, drawing inspiration from his 12 years as an altar server. The series critiques traditional family structures, particularly heteronormative, patriarchal Catholic families shaped by 19th-century modern state formation and post-Industrial Revolution capitalism. Moreno's work has been published in The Guardian, British Journal of Photography, and Vogue Italia, and he received the Foam Talent award in Amsterdam in 2022. The series commentary was written by Mexican writer Cristina Rivera Garza, a MacArthur Fellow and Berlin Prize recipient. The project references artistic influences including Mexican photographer Rolando Martínez's family portraits and the tattoo work of Oaxacan artist Dr. Lakra, while engaging with philosophical concepts from Michel Foucault about anomalies that violate natural and social laws.