MORETÓN
Darren Vargas
Moretón – ‘bruise’ in Spanish – is the first photo book by LA based, first generation Mexican American photographer, Darren Vargas. Spurred by the earlier death of his beloved grandfather, Esmael, Vargas documented the Lee Espinoza Coachella Valley Boxing Club, a community led non-profit boxing club in a struggling area of Southern California.
Lee Espinoza, celebrated by the immigrant community as the “godfather of boxing”, reminded Vargas of Esmael. Yet Moretón is not about boxing. It’s story of finding a sense of place, self and forgiveness. It’s a documentation of a life’s work with no expectation of anything in return.
“This project is not only a personal reflection on what legacy means and how that translates to my own experience with my grandfather but is a documentative view on what it is to be an immigrant and build something. It is a response to struggle and hardship but finding ways to still give back. Lee has sacrificed to make something for the youth in Coachella valley. For a place that struggles with drugs, violence, exile and the heat. A haven in a special place.” ( Darren Vargas, photographer and author of the book )
A percentage of the sales from Moretón will go back to the Lee Espinoza Coachella Valley Boxing Club as a donation.
Darren Vargas
Darren Vargas is a photographer and director based in Los Angeles, California who works around the globe. He is a fi rst generation Mexican American with roots from Tepic Nayarit Mexico. Vargas has been working in commercial and editorial photography with organisations including Capsule Magazine; Champion; Nike; HYPEBEAST; Stella Artois; NOTION; BornXRaised; and ATMOS. Moreton is his fi rst book and will be his fi rst solo exhibition.
