In Bolivia the representation of women remains whitewashed and phallocentric. Catholicism and class struggles permeate our understanding of womanhood with religious dogmas reinforcing society’s Madonna-Whore complex and inequality manifesting as the under and misrepresentation of indigenous and mestizo women. “Madre” seeks to challenge this embedded machismo and celebrate the complexity and diversity of my culture.
The project shares elements of both fiction and documentary work. The portraits depict women as confronted versions of Mary Magdalene and Virgin Mary that are repossessed to reflect Andean traditions. Family photos act as windows to the past and are deconstructed to subvert meaning and add layers of symbolism. Weaving past memories and current observations, “Madre” explores the influence of race and religion in shaping the perception and representation of Bolivian women.