Meet Rob Woodcox
Meet Rob Woodcox, a heart deeply rooted in Mexico City's vibrant expressions of creativity and culture, capturing the essence of creating art with purpose through the lens, exploring and illuminating crucial themes of our time.
His focus spans the foster system and adoption, queer identity, body neutrality, racial equality, and environmental justice. Each image he crafts is a celebration of human connection, a choreographed moment where diverse bodies tell their stories against the backdrop of our complex world. Rob's work is a journey into the beauty of resilience, creating spaces where every person's story can explode. As a global traveler with roots in the diverse cities of Houston and Detroit, Rob brings a unique perspective to his art. His projects go beyond the canvas, featuring in prestigious outlets like Vogue, Elle, and Vanity Fair, and touching lives in galleries, museums, and commercial campaigns across continents. Yet, his heart beats strongest for the stories that connect us, making every piece a bridge between viewers from all walks of life.
The Veil
Rob Woodcox is a storyteller, using his lens to weave narratives that resonate with the essence of our shared humanity.
In your images, every scene tells a story. What's the most unexpected narrative you've captured?
RW: I suppose I'm always beautifully surprised by love. I have a series where I document queer lovers as a gift to my community, and every time I find myself wanting to photograph them forever—it becomes such a beautiful and intimate shared space where I see a different side of each person; less produced, more relaxed, and care-free. I love the effects of love.
How do you integrate human forms into your compositions?
RW: Humans are part of nature, so I think of our bodies like a plant, a tree. We are connected energetically, and when we come together as communities, we can accomplish so much more. My Bodies of Light series began when I wanted to create a literal tree out of human bodies, so I found the perfect spot in a desert, brought all my dancer friends from Mexico City, and created the composition using a ladder and extra exposures of each dancer jumping. All my photographs are created on location, blurring the lines between dream and reality.
As a photographer and filmmaker, how does your creative process differ between the two mediums?
RW: I would say my process between photographs and films is quite similar, just that the latter is more drawn out. Even when I'm creating the concepts for my photographs, I see moving visuals in my mind and I just choose which "frames" to transfer to the camera. With film, that has been a nice transition—being able to turn the entire visual in my mind into a storyboard and bring a whole team behind the vision. I typically receive inspiration from dreams, music, paintings; these launching points incite visuals in my mind that I then transpose onto paper, in writing and mood boards.
With photographs, I can manage most of the production myself, usually with just 1-2 assistants. I'm really thriving with filmmaking. I love creating environments and moving visuals demand a whole world. I shot my first short film in a rainforest with a 50-person team; it’s exhilarating to experience everyone working like a machine to produce a unified vision.
What surreal moment in real life has most influenced your art?
RW: I would say coming out as queer after being raised in a strictly religious culture dramatically influenced my art. It felt like the world went from black and white to color experientially, and I no longer feared limitations. Allowing myself to be free in my personal experiences opened my mind to expressing everything I wanted in my art. From nudity to difficult subjects, I try not to hold back.
Which of your projects has had the most significant impact on you?
RW: When I was in my early 20s, I created a campaign to raise funds for a summer camp that served to create community and encouragement for foster children in the United States. I myself was adopted when I was a baby, so I've always been passionate about helping children realize their full potential in this world. Through a visual campaign showcasing kids embracing their imagination from dark moments to light, we were able to fundraise a year of expenses for this summer camp. This experience showed me the power of art to contribute to society and improve the conditions of this world.
Living between Mexico and the US, how do these diverse cultures influence your artistic vision?
RW: I feel like the US taught me the business of being an artist, while Mexico teaches me to fully embrace my deepest expression. Mexico is the birthplace of surrealism, and I believe this comes from the extreme juxtapositions of privilege, politics, culture, design, architecture, food; you can feel like you're in 12 different cities in one day just from moving around Mexico City. There is a culture of enjoying life in Latin America, while the US focuses more on hustling, independence, and achievement.
For me, success is loving life. I love living in Mexico.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your art?
RW: Most of my biggest challenges in life are mental, and it has been the same in my art. Outward success is often defined financially or through how much power you can attain. It has taken me years of meditation and therapy in nature to realize that I possess all the joy and resources I need, just from waking up, breathing, and participating in my communities each day. Anything else is a cherry on top of the sundae.
How do you capture the essence of individuality in your work?
RW: In regards to my own individuality, my work has developed over time from a preference for techniques, colors, and compositions to create a style that is not easily replicable. Most art is just that—a unique journey that we take to tell our own story or collection of experiences in the hopes of connecting with others.
Regarding the subjects of my work, I always ensure I communicate clearly from the moment we start talking about a collaboration and I create a safe space where my models can feel free to express themselves. When people feel safe, they share the real version of themselves. I think this can be seen in a lot of my more intimate series.
How has your artistic style evolved over time?
RW: When I started out in photography, I created from this sort of fairytale perspective, pushing my compositions to a space that felt more like a fantasy. While my work is still quite surreal, I feel that my style now feels more grounded in reality. I prefer natural colors, natural skin, and always photographing real moments on location.
What new directions are you exploring in your art?
RW: I'm over-the-moon excited to be working on my first feature film right now. I'll be exploring a blend of art and documentary to show a new perspective on climate change, working with frontline indigenous communities. We're in the fundraising stage, but as soon as we can, we'll begin scouting in Colombia, Mexico, Kenya, Tahiti, and the US to explore intersections between these diverse environments to celebrate solutions that can be implemented regardless of the borders that aim to separate us.
What These Words Mean to Rob Woodcox
Transformation
ABUNDANCE
Transformation is so vital and delicious. The best kind of transformation for me is when I overcome harmful mindsets I was taught or figure out how to manage a new aspect of my life or art that used to cause a lot of stress. In an ideal world, we could all be joyful and healthy most of the time. I value all emotions, and I find facing them on a regular basis helps me achieve real joy in my personal life, relationships, and art.
Intimacy
Nina + Whit + Mecca
I thrive with intimacy. I prefer a one-on-one or small group experience to a big party full of people. Intimacy requires focus, attention, and respect for another person. Those things all require effort and a choice to prioritize someone else over yourself at times. We live in a modern era where tag lines in trendy articles tell us to be independent and to give zero fucks about others, but I live by a very different, more empathic set of guidelines. I find that truly connecting with others also helps me learn more about myself.
Resilience
Spontaneous Creation
I'm so thankful for everything I've had to overcome. I'm lucky that my parents helped me learn a positive mindset in response to things that could often be considered challenging or "bad". When I was in second grade, a kid at lunch walked up to my table in the cafeteria and, trying to provoke me, said, "I feel sorry for you since you were adopted". I remember having zero hesitation and responding, "Actually, I feel sorry for you—my parents got to choose me and yours were stuck with you". Looking back, that was a little harsh, but I think it reflects how proud I am of the things that make me unique and that I've had to work through. Of course, when I was young, I questioned my identity and origins a lot, but I always felt like I could choose how to respond to that reality and make the best of it.
Freedom
Unity
Much of the freedom we're sold in this world is artificial. It's like "you can be a plumber, or a doctor", but in the end, it often feels like we're limited to a list of options decided by others, and only what’s in reach with the resources we were born into. I believe real liberation comes from learning as much as you can about the reality of the world and choosing to live in a way that makes you happy. I could have become wealthier financially, perhaps if I had chosen various other paths, but my art is what makes me happy. I'm enjoying finding a balance and mental freedom in that.
Surrealism
Otherworld
For me, surrealism allows us to imagine what could be. That is one of the strongest powers of art—it doesn't limit us to accept what already is. When there are problems in life, we as artists can be the stepping stone to imagining a new future. I really enjoy including elements of reality in my art so that people can imagine themselves enjoying this dream future I create.
In the world of Rob Woodcox, art is a language spoken in the silent moments captured between heartbeats. His work is a deep dive into the soul of society, reflecting the beauty, struggles, and triumphs of the human condition. With every photograph and film, Rob invites us into a conversation about who we are and who we aspire to be. His art inspires a reimagining of our collective future, grounded in the principles of equality, love, and environmental stewardship. From his advocacy work to his exploration of personal and societal identities, Rob's creative journey is transformative artistry. Through his eyes, we see the power of visual storytelling to foster a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us, making Rob Woodcox a pivotal voice in the narrative of change.
