Behind a Palangana

Drawing inspiration from observing and talking to Palenqueras in the streets of Cartagena, Colombia, where their income often comes from taking photos with tourists. The headpiece, of floral drawings by different women symbolizes the collective beauty and the strength they carry. The expression of fatigue, coupled with the weight of the headpiece, reflects the physical and emotional burdens that come with the roles of their cultural image. This intimate photograph aims to reveal a rarely seen perspective on women’s experiences, acknowledging the hidden struggles behind the facade of strength and grace.