Destiny Mata

Host Traven Rice speaks with photographer Destiny Mata for the latest episode of The Lo-Down Culture Cast.

Mata is a rising star who grew up in the neighborhood. She is a Mexican American photographer and filmmaker who focuses on issues of subculture and community.

After studying photojournalism at LaGuardia Community College and San Antonio College, she spent 2 years as Director of Photography Programs at the Lower East Side Girls Club.

Mata and has had work published and featured in The New York Times, The Nation, VICE, The Culture Crush, and Teen Vogue.

She recently led the LES : Free Film initiative, which we featured here.  It was a monthlong project offering free roles of film to local residents and students in the area. People interested in documenting their neighborhood were encouraged to pick up a free role of film distributed at an “Airstream-darkroom” parked outside the Lower Eastside Girl’s club this past spring. 

Mata also has an exhibition up on the fences at the Martin Luther King Jr. Garden as part of Photoville 2023. (In)Visible Guides connected her with residents of a Lower East Side shelter for domestic violence survivors to explore notions of memory, safety, and loss. The exhibition features photography taken by shelter residents.

Be sure to check out her work on Instagram here.