La Mariposa
This portrait showcases Virginia Arce Montar, an undocumented immigrant from the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. She immigrated to the United States through the desert at a young age with her family. Since then, she has graduated from a four-year university with the dream of owning her own business. Despite leaving her homeland early, Virginia has maintained her cultural roots by speaking her native indigenous language, cooking traditional meals, and participating in cultural celebrations. Her story exemplifies resilience in the face of hardship and emotional maturity at a young age. These portraits aim to shine a light on undocumented children who have been robbed of a stable childhood, as well as the beauty and strength of often-unspoken indigenous Mexican voices.
Canon Ae-1 Program w/ Kodak Ektar 100 | Circa April 2023