Gabriela Villalba is a Venezuelan-born photographer and graphic designer based in Sydney. Since moving to Australia in 2013, she has focused on documentary portraiture and artistic explorations. Her camera has documented much of the creative culture of Sydney's Northern Beaches, capturing artists and their expressive processes.
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Gabby's journey into self-portraiture has expanded the boundaries of her documentary photography. Through handmade alterations using both ephemeral and permanent resources, she conveys intimate emotions, creating photographic hybrids that transcend traditional representation. Her work invites viewers to reflect on self-awareness and our connection to the environment on a deeper, more emotional level.
With a strong commitment to the creative process, Gabby emphasizes experimentation and the use of recycled materials in her work. She continues this approach by creating photograms (camera-less photography) and printing cyanotypes developed under sunlight.​
Gabby was a finalist in the 2024 Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Prize and received an Honorable Mention in Photography at the Warringah Art Prize in 2015. Her work has been exhibited in Caracas, Miami, Sydney, and Newcastle. With 18 years of experience in the advertising industry in Venezuela, she brings a rich background as a visual communicator. As Co-Founder and Lead Photographer of Kayapa Creative Studio, Gabby has played a key role in fostering creative communities in the Northern Beaches through initiatives like La Crème Creative Inc. and Brookvale Arts District (BAD).
As a resident of the Northern Beaches I extend my gratitude to the traditional custodians of this land. I pay my respects to Elders past, present, and future and celebrate the richness of Aboriginal cultures that continue to thrive here today.