I am Zuania, a Puerto Rican conceptual photo-based visual artist and creative with a San Juan-based studio, an onshore location within US jurisdiction. I was trained in Madrid, Spain, as a studio assistant for Vogue and Netflix productions, among others.

As a still-life conceptual creative, I pour my visionary energy into every aspect of the process, from meticulously designing stunning sets to crafting unique props. With a keen eye for detail, I strive to produce innovative and visually appealing creations that captivate viewers with their meaning and pleasant aesthetic.

For my branded work, I bring a conceptual approach to every project paired with an artistic aesthetic and design sensibility. This allows me to create one-of-a-kind campaigns, photo illustrations, and stop motions for brands looking to challenge their categories by transcending conventional boundaries and building a unique identity.

My work has been published by The Washington Post, Forbes, and different art magazines. The International Photography Awards have also awarded me an Honorable Mention, and my work has been shortlisted in the Still Life category of Spotlight Awards 2023 from Production Paradise. I am part of the Up Next group from Diversify Photo, The Luupe, Free the Work, Wonderful Machine, and APA-NY. I am servicing brands and agencies worldwide and am open to art commissions.

Personal

• I love to hike and spend a day at the beach

• Music makes me extremely happy

• Dance is one of my preferred hobbies

• Love curiosity and adventure.

• I have two dogs and a cat.

Selected Press
• Focus on Women “Artsis Spotlight”, 2023, https://www.focusonwomen.org/artistspotlight-featured/may-zuania-muiz-melndez
• The Luupe “12 Hispanic and Latin American Women and Non-binary Creators to Hire this Year”, 2023, https://theluupe.com/blog/hispanic-and-latin-american-women-and-non-binary-photographers-to-hire-this-year
•The Washington Post "The art of our pandemic lives", 2020, p.C1
• Forbes "Fine art and sports worlds unite virtually with Arcis Golf, TOROSIETE Museum", 2020,  https://www.forbes.com/
• gestalten "Vademecum Vigorous Flowers. A Creative Pool project by Zuania Muñiz-Meléndez (Puerto Rico)", 2020,  https://news.gestalten.com.

Awards 
• 2016, International Photography Awards, Honorable Mention in the Fine Art and Portrait Categories. 
• 2023, Spotlight Awards 2023, Shortlisted in the Still Life Category.

Selected Exhibitions 
2023
“SalaFAR Biennal”, Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
“Pasando factura”, i AM Art, San Juan, Puerto Rico
“Exposición Colectiva” , i AM Art, San Juan, Puerto Rico

2022
“Photoimagen 2022: Femenino +”, Museo Fernando Peña Defilló, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana.
“Art Night”, Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Dorado, Puerto Rico

2021
“Resolución 2020”, Museo Casa Escuté, Carolina, Puerto Rico
“Resolución 2020”, Museo de Arte Caribbean University, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
“Cohete Toledo” Festival de arte de Toledo, Toledo, Spain

2019
“Island Beauty”, Artist Advisory Board, Foundry Art Centre, St. Charles, Missouri.
“NEXOS: edición EE”, Artist Advisory Board, Espacio Emergente, Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
“Determinado II“, Artist Advisory Board, SalaFAR, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“Camaradas: Arte en Solidaridad”, Juan Carlos Amador,  Instituto de Subcultura, San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

2018
“Correspondencias”, Vanessa Hernández, El Lobi, San Juan, Puerto Rico. 
“Plural”, Ludwig Media, Sala de arte Plaza del Caribe, Ponce, Puerto Rico.
“Summer Group Show”, Arnaldo Cueto , A Cueto Gallery, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. 
“Presencia” , Abdías Mendez , Canvas Gallery, Miami, Florida.
“The Essential”, Millepiani Exhibition Space, Rome, Italy.
“Colectiva de Navidad 2018”, Arnaldo Cueto, A Cueto Gallery, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. 

2017
“Art Through the Lens”, Eliot Dudik, Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, Kentucky. 
“Photography”, Taylor Lyon, Graphite Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana. 

2016
“Determinado” Solo Show, Taller de Fotoperiodismo, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“Color Burst: Contemporary Photography”, Todd Johnson, Black Box Gallery, Portland, Oregon. 

Auctions 
• 2017, “Cena por el MAC”, Museum of Contemporary Art, Paseo Caribe, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• 2019, “Subasta silente a beneficio de la Sala Noemí Ruíz.”, Penthouse Banco Popular, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. 

Art Press
• The Washington Post "The art of our pandemic lives", 2020, p.C1
• Forbes "Fine art and sports worlds unite virtually with Arcis Golf, TOROSIETE Museum", 2020,  https://www.forbes.com/
• gestalten "Vademecum Vigorous Flowers. A Creative Pool project by Zuania Muñiz-Meléndez (Puerto Rico)", 2020,  https://news.gestalten.com.
•”All the arts Saint Louis”, 2019, p. 1,3, 23, 28
• “ARTDISTRICTS FLORIDA”, 2018, p.11, p.38-41
• “Latin American Art”, 2018, p. 64-65.
• Redacción de Flash & Cultura, “La semana de ferias de arte de la ciudad floridiana contará con la participación de más de una decena de artistas puertorriqueños” El Nuevo Día, 2018, p. 58.
• Jorge Rodriguez, “Presencia artística en Florida”, El Vocero, 2018, p.26.
• “Trece artistas de Puerto Rico desembarcan en Miami con una muestra de arte”, 2018, dominicanoenelexterior.com
• “Presencia, de Puerto Rico en Miami”, 2018, dirticity.blogspot.com
• Lillian E. Agosto, “Colectivo artístico Presencia en ruta a Miami”, 2018, buenavibra.com
• Ignacio Olasagasti, “Hasta las piedras hablan”, Radio Universidad de Puerto Rico.
•“ARTPULSE”, 2018, p.15
• Judith Felicié, “Voz y Cultura”, Radio Universidad de Puerto Rico, 2018.
• “ISO + Rainbow”, 2017, oursphotomag.com
• “Average #16”, UK, 2017
• “Wotisart? 8”, UK, 2017
• Rosario Romero, “Determinado”, Visión Doble, 2016, visiondoble.net
• Javier Martínez, “Lengua, flora y fotografía en Determinado”, Autogiro, 2016, autogiro.cronicaurbana.com
• Eileen Rivera Esquilín, “Zuania Muñiz y sus imágenes escritas con luz”, Esto es el Agua, 2016, estoeselagua.com
• Arte Fusión, “20 diciembre 2016”, http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/98184751
• José Arroyo, “El lenguaje de las flores” , prpop.org 

Collections 
• Private Collections: San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dorado, Puerto Rico, Frankfurt, Germany, Portland, Oregon, St. Louis, Missouri, Michigan, Illinois, New York, New York.
• Institution: Fundación Imágen 83, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana

Masterclasses
• Puerto Rico’s Art Museum, “Crafting ideas through nature. An approach to conceptual photography.”

Contact

ideate@zuania.com

US: +1 787-934-4434

Spain: + 34 66 34 84122 ( Whatsapp only)

Services

Creative Direction            
Art Direction              

Set and prop building
Still-life Photography

Editorial Illustrations
  Product Photography

Stop Motion