Pepe Soho facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pepe Soho
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José Askenazi Cohen
October 20, 1971 Mexico City, Mexico
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| Known for | Photography |
Pepe Soho, whose real name is José Askenazi Cohen, is a famous Mexican photographer. He takes amazing pictures of landscapes and nature.
Before he became a photographer, Pepe Soho worked as a designer, a musician, and a businessman. When he turned 40, he decided to focus only on photography. In 2017, he won first place in the World Photographic Cup for his photo called “Believe.” Forbes magazine also named him one of Mexico's most creative people that year. Many people agree that he is one of Mexico's most important photographers today.
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Pepe Soho's Early Life and Music Career
Pepe Soho's father, Eduardo Askenazi, worked in the clothing business. His mother, Paz Cohen, is an artist who sculpts and paints. From a young age, Pepe was interested in art, photography, and music. He started taking drum lessons when he was 12 years old.
By the late 1980s, before he was even 20, Pepe was playing drums in a popular nightclub in Mexico City called Sugar. He performed with well-known Mexican rock bands and singers. He also went on tour with the band Magneto.
In 1990, he moved to Los Angeles, California. There, he continued to study drums at The Musicians Institute. He joined a rock group called Ash Gallery and played with them for almost three years. They performed in famous places like the Whisky a Go Go and The Roxy. At the same time, he also played with a band at the Bull Dog Café bar in Mexico. He worked with artists like Álex Lora and Alejandra Guzmán for two years.
From Fashion to Nightlife
In 1993, Pepe Soho opened a used record store in Mexico City. He also sold a few special clothes there. Soon after, he started designing and selling his own clothes, like T-shirts with rock band designs. A year later, he opened his first clothing store called SOHO. This is how he became widely known by that name.
By the year 2000, his SOHO brand had grown to twenty stores. These stores were in Mexico City and other parts of Mexico. Famous Mexican TV stars walked in his fashion shows. The shows were held in popular places and attracted huge crowds.
In 2007, Pepe Soho designed and opened a popular nightclub in Mexico City called "LOVE." It was located in the Polanco neighborhood.
Pepe Soho's Photography Journey
Pepe Soho says a serious accident helped him rediscover his love for photography. It also made him appreciate nature more. In 2011, he went to India for a three-month meditation trip. Early in the trip, he had a bad accident while riding a horse. He broke both of his knees.
The accident forced him to return to Mexico in a wheelchair. Pepe had many surgeries and a long recovery. The medical treatments made his body weak. He was diagnosed with a condition that caused him to lose a lot of weight and feel pain. Pepe struggled with sadness until he started to move better and feel healthier in 2013.
During short walks in the Bosque de Chapultepec park, he began taking pictures. It was mostly a way to keep his mind busy. Nine months later, he applied to a photography school in Mexico City. He also studied at the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York City. After finishing his studies, he went on many photography trips. He visited more than 50 countries around the world, starting in Antarctica. Now, he mostly focuses on taking pictures of the beautiful landscapes in his home country, Mexico.
In 2014, Pepe Soho opened a gallery in Polanco to show his photographs. Within a few years, he opened another gallery in Mexico City. He also opened three more galleries in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, and in Playa del Carmen and Tulum, Quintana Roo.
Awards and Special Recognition
In 2018, Forbes Mexico magazine listed Pepe Soho as one of Mexico's most creative people. This award honors people who have a big impact and are doing great things. In the same year, he was named one of the country's best artists. He was praised for his skill and for bringing global attention to Mexican art.
In 2017, Pepe Soho's photo "Believe" won first place at the World Photographic Cup. This picture was taken in Chile. It won in the Nature (Landscape and Wildlife) category. Photographers from 26 countries took part in this competition. In his speech, Pepe Soho said, "Photography gave me back my confidence and my life. After feeling lost in sadness, taking pictures was my only reason to keep going. I found a way to show my love for life and my admiration for nature through this art." He also said he was proud to represent Mexico and show the world how wonderful it is.
In 2016, the Mexican Photographic Committee invited Pepe Soho to join the Photographic World Cup. That year, it was held in Portugal. His photo "Zen," taken in Mozambique, won fourth place in the Nature (Landscape and Wildlife) category.
Exhibitions of His Work
- 2018: Vida (Life) at the Open Gallery of the Rejas de Chapultepec, Mexico City.
- 2017: Believe at the José Luis Cuevas Museum, Mexico City.
Other Photography Projects
In 2018, Pepe Soho was a special artist and ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund's "Pequeñas Navegantes" (Little Navigators) contest. This contest helps protect the olive ridley turtle, which is the smallest sea turtle.
Pepe Soho has also worked on other projects. He was part of NBC's Samsung Galaxy S8 campaign. He also participated in the FotoMéxico 2017 International Photography Festival.
In 2017, he was a judge for a photography contest called Reto Foto México. This contest was organized by México Desconocido magazine and Canon.
The National Tourism Department has also asked him to be part of tourism campaigns, like "Yo soy mexicano" (I am Mexican).
See also
In Spanish: Pepe Soho para niños
