“Mulheres da Terra” (Women of the Earth), Rui Caria’s photography exhibition at Casa Manuel de Arriaga, introduces us to the world of eight women from Terceira, aged between 21 and 80, who have something in common. Lisandra, Beatriz, Virgínia, Verónica, Denise, Nélia, Isilda, and Urselina share a love for the land and caring for animals. Some work full-time in this activity, others have other professions. Still, they help their families in this hard daily task of farming, one of the main sources of income for many families on Terceira Island and the other islands of the archipelago. They take on work that is predominantly done by men and demonstrate the strength of being a woman, without limitations or prejudice. Regardless of whether or not this is their main activity, they do what has to be done, even when they say they are just helping out.

The photographic exhibition at Casa Manuel de Arriaga is a tribute to all the women who choose, every day, to do hard work, without days off, vacations, or weekends. It is based on this universe of women who take on a predominantly male activity that the cultural mediation service of the Horta Museum is developing, as part of its summer activities, an initiative aimed at organized vacation groups and leisure activities. The promotion of this exhibition among younger audiences involves a visit to the space, dialogue, and listening about the exhibition itself, the role of women in today’s society, and equal opportunities and gender equality.

After this, we invite participants and monitors to become photographers and capture, through the lens, the women who are important in their family, school, or other contexts. In a third stage, after the group has selected the photographs, they are invited to set up their exhibition. To this end, they return to Casa Manuel de Arriaga and prepare “their” photography exhibition, from framing to installation. This activity has allowed these children and young people to come into contact with this form of artistic expression, to reflect and establish a dialogue on the issue of gender equality and opportunities between women and men, and, last but not least, to learn a little about the process of creating an exhibition, in this case a photography exhibition. The action will run until the end of August. Alongside the exhibition “Mulheres da Terra” (Women of the Earth) by Rui Caria, visitors can see a small exhibition created by the youngest participants, which is part of the cultural mediation service of the Horta Museum.

“Mulheres da Terra” by the Portuguese photographer from Nazaré is open to the public at Casa Manuel de Arriaga.

From Rita Dias, Director of the Casa Manuel de Arriaga–Part of the Horta Museum.

In Tribuna das Ilhas newspaper, from Horta, Faial, Susana Garcia, director