Ricky Flores is a well-respected photographer and artist, known for his work documenting the lives and experiences of communities in the South Bronx, New York, during the 1980s. Born in New York City in 1961 to Puerto Rican parents, Flores has a deep connection to the Puerto Rican community in the city. Growing up in the South Bronx, Flores experienced the impact of the urban decay and social struggles of the time. As a teenager, he picked up a camera and began to capture the world around him, focusing on the everyday lives of people in his community. He has been credited with capturing the resilience, strength, and beauty of the people and culture of the South Bronx during a difficult period in its history. Ricky Flores' photography has been featured in various publications and exhibitions, and he has gained a reputation for his raw, honest, and intimate depictions of life in the South Bronx. His work has become an important visual archive of the time, preserving the memory and the spirit of the community he grew up in. Flores has also been involved in the wider New York City arts scene and has worked as a photojournalist for newspapers, including The New York Daily News. His photography has not only contributed to a greater understanding of the South Bronx's history and culture, but it has also inspired a new generation of photographers and artists to tell their own stories. Ricky Flores' photography provides a unique perspective on the South Bronx during the 1980s, a time when the area was grappling with high crime rates, drug abuse, and economic decline. Amidst the challenges, his work also highlights the strength, creativity, and perseverance of the community members who called the South Bronx home. In addition to documenting everyday life in the neighborhood, Flores captured the burgeoning hip-hop and graffiti art scenes that were born in the area. His photographs offer an invaluable record of the early days of these artistic movements, which have since gone on to become influential worldwide. As a self-taught photographer, Flores' work stands as a testament to his talent, dedication, and passion for his community. He used his camera as a tool to communicate the stories and emotions of his subjects, and his intimate style is marked by a deep sense of empathy and understanding. Over the years, Flores' work has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the United States and internationally, including the Bronx Documentary Center, the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the Museum of the City of New York, and El Museo del Barrio, among others. His photography has also been featured in numerous books, documentaries, and publications that focus on the history, culture, and artistic movements of New York City and the South Bronx in particular. As an artist and photographer, Ricky Flores has contributed significantly to the cultural history of New York City, and his work serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists from marginalized communities. His photographs continue to be celebrated for their power to capture the essence of a time and place, giving voice to the people and stories that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.