Profile
About the Artist – Rikii Altamirano
Rikii Altamirano is a Timorese documentary photographer whose practice engages deeply with space, place and cultural identity. Born in Timor-Leste and currently based in the United Kingdom, Rikii brings a personal perspective to his work, shaped by his heritage and a commitment to amplifying stories from within his own community.
Since 2016, Rikii has worked professionally in photography and is now completing his BA in Photography at the University of Plymouth, graduating in 2025. His visual practice is grounded in careful observation and ethical storytelling, using photography to reflect on resilience, belonging and the lived experiences of Timorese people.
His work is led by an artistic vision that considers the psychological and historical weight of geography, particularly in relation to postcolonial legacies. Rikii explores how colonial histories have influenced the physical and cultural landscapes of Timor-Leste and how these effects continue to shape the present.
Through natural light, environmental portraiture and a reflective documentary style, Rikii captures the endurance of individuals and communities in the face of political and geographic marginalisation. His projects examine the fragile tension between change and continuity, offering a nuanced and powerful insight into identity and cultural survival in postcolonial contexts.
Education
BA Photography with Honours, University of Plymouth, 2025
HND Photography with Distinction, City of Bristol College, 2024
HNC Photography, City of Bristol College, 2023
Artistic Vision: Space, Place, and Social Consciousness
Key Influences & Methodology
Historical Roots: Inspired by Jacob Riis’s exposés on urban poverty and Steve McCurry’s human-centric portraiture, my work balances aesthetic precision with documentary integrity.
Modern Innovators: Liz Wells’s documentary critical introduction and Michelle Bogre’s writings on activism inform my emphasis on photography as a tool for systemic change.
Exhibitions
HND Group, End of the Exhibition (2024), City of Bristol College
LAO RAI, Group Exhibition (2024), Long Ashton Community Centre
HNC Group, End of the Year Show (2023) COBC.
Award Achievements
Wex Video, Human Impact Award, 2025
City of Darwin, Excellent Award, 2024.
Books & Publications
Ema Diak, Rise, 2025 (Self-Published Hardcover Book)
Find My Connection, 2024 (Self-Published Zine)
Lao Rai, 2024 (Self-Published Book)
Luis, 2023 (Self-Published Zine).