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 is known for his amazing pictures of landscapes and nature.
Before becoming a photographer, Pepe Soho had exciting careers as a designer, musician, and 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 picture called "Believe." This award was in the Nature category, which includes landscapes and wildlife. Forbes magazine also recognized him as one of Mexico's most creative people in 2017. Many people consider him one of the most important photographers in Mexico today.
Contents
Pepe Soho's Early Life and Music Career
Pepe Soho's father, Eduardo Askenazi, worked in the clothing business. His mother, Paz Cohen, is a talented sculptor and painter. From a young age, Pepe was interested in art, photography, and music. He started taking drum lessons and playing at just 12 years old.
By the late 1980s, even before he was 20, Pepe Soho was playing drums in a popular nightclub in Mexico City called Sugar. He performed with well-known Mexican rock bands and singers, like Sabo Romo and Leonardo de Lozanne. He also joined the band Magneto for their "Tremendo" tour.
In 1990, he moved to Los Angeles, California, to study percussion more at The Musicians Institute. There, he joined a rock group called Ash Gallery with another Mexican musician, Atto Attie. They played together for almost three years in famous places like the Whisky a Go Go and The Roxy. At the same time, he also played for two years with the band at the Bull Dog Café bar in Mexico. He worked with artists such as Álex Lora, Alejandra Guzmán, and Erik Rubín.
Fashion Design and Entertainment Ventures
In 1993, Pepe Soho opened a used record store in Mexico City. He also started selling a small collection of designer clothes there. Soon after, he began designing and selling his own clothing, starting with cool T-shirts featuring rock bands. A year later, he opened his first clothing store, which he named SOHO. This name became how most people knew him. By the year 2000, his popular SOHO brand had grown to twenty stores. These stores were in Mexico City and other parts of Mexico.
SOHO fashion shows featured famous Mexican TV stars. Some of these included Sebastián Rulli, Cynthia Klitbo, Galilea Montijo, and Erik Rubín. The fashion 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 that a serious accident helped him rediscover his childhood love for photography. It also made him appreciate nature even more. In 2011, he traveled to India for a three-month meditation retreat. Early in his trip, he had a bad accident while riding a horse, breaking both his knees. This accident forced him to return to Mexico in a wheelchair.
Pepe Soho had many surgeries and a long recovery. The medical treatments made his body weak. He was later diagnosed with a condition that caused him to lose a lot of weight and feel pain. He struggled for a while until he started to move better and feel healthier in 2013. During short walks in the Bosque de Chapultepec park, he began taking pictures. This was mostly to keep his mind busy.
Nine months later, he applied to a photography school in Mexico City. He then went on to study at the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York City. After finishing his studies, he went on many photography trips. These trips took him to more than 50 countries around the world, starting in Antarctica. Today, he mainly focuses on taking pictures of the beautiful landscapes in his home country, Mexico.
In 2014, Pepe Soho opened a gallery in the Polanco neighborhood to show his work. Within a few years, he opened another space in Mexico City. He also opened three more galleries in other cities: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato; and Playa del Carmen, and Tulúm in Quintana Roo.
Awards and Special Recognition
In 2018, Forbes Mexico magazine named Pepe Soho as one of Mexico's most creative people. This honor recognizes individuals who have a big impact and are doing great things. In the same year, a guide called "One Hundred Artists You Can't Miss of Mexico" named him one of the country's best artists. They praised his skill and how he has gained worldwide attention as an amazing Mexican artist.
In 2017, Pepe Soho's photo "Believe," which he took in Chile, won first place at the World Photographic Cup. This was in the Nature (Landscape and Wildlife) category. Photographers from 26 countries participated in this category. In his speech, Pepe Soho said that photography helped him regain his confidence and his life. He explained that taking pictures was his only motivation after a difficult time. He found a way to show his love for life and nature through his art. He also said he was proud to represent Mexico and show the world how wonderful his country is through his work.
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.
Art Exhibitions
- 2018: Vida (Life). Shown at the Galería Abierta de las Rejas de Chapultepec, Mexico City.
- 2017: Believe. Shown at the José Luis Cuevas Museum, Mexico City.
Other Photography Projects
In 2018, Pepe Soho was a special guest 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 type of sea turtle.
Pepe Soho has also worked on projects outside of his own art. He was part of NBC's Samsung Galaxy S8 campaign. He also participated in the FotoMéxico 2017 International Photography Festival, organized by the Centro de la Imagen.
In 2017, he was a judge for the "Reto Foto México" (Photo Challenge Mexico) contest. This contest was organized by México Desconocido magazine and Canon. He has also helped with tourism campaigns like Yo soy mexicano (I am Mexican) when asked by the National Tourism Department.
Images for kids
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Pepe Soho working on his photography.
See also
In Spanish: Pepe Soho para niños
