Observance: As I See You, You See Me
Juan Jose Barboza-Gubo & Andrew Mroczek’s series Virgenes de la Puerta focuses on the transgender women of Lima, Peru. The photographs celebrate the women and presents them as relevant iconic figures within the cultural context of their native land. Influenced by 19th-Century Colonial painting, this series of portraits and tableaux incorporate cultural and religious iconography in an effort to pay homage to the resilience and beauty of these women to strengthen, empower, and embed a sense of pride within the current and future generations of Peru’s LGBTQ community. Barboza and Mroczek worked closely with many Peruvian artisans in the design and production of the objects used as props in the images. They felt it was important to surround the women with parts of their culture made by the hands of native artisans that have passed down these skills for generations, and it provides a better understanding of just how rich and layered Peruvian culture is. https://www.barbozagubo-mroczek.com