Xavier Tavera has made it his mission to document Latino veterans who’ve been overlooked by the history books and how have at times “felt invisible.” Tavera is a Mexican-born photographer living in Minnesota who can relate to some of those veteranos and veterans because he has felt some of that invisibility as an immigrant. “A portrait is made not only by me, but by two people, the people that I’m photographing and me,” Tavera said. “It’s a relationship and it’s a collaboration.”

Peter F Franco

Manuel Aguirre

John Obregon

Joseph H. Medina

Raymond J. Rangel

About the Photographer

After moving from Mexico City to the United States, Xavier Tavera learned what it felt like to be part of a subculture—the immigrant community. Subjected to alienation has transformed the focus of his photographs to share the lives of those who are marginalized. Images have offered insight into the diversity of numerous communities and given a voice to those who are often invisible. Tavera has shown his work extensively in the Twin Cities, nationally and internationally including Chile, Uruguay and China. His work is part of the collections of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Plaines Art Museum, Minnesota Museum of American Art, Minnesota History Center and the Weisman Art Museum. He is a recipient of the McKnight fellowship, Jerome Travel award, State Arts Board, and Bronica scholarship.

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