Helena Rojas: I am passionate about traditional indigenous textiles and I have been working voluntarily and as part of the team with some projects and non profits that works directly with peoples of different villages from Chiapas; exploring, documenting and co working on various creative areas. Currently I collaborate with the Chiapas Photographic Project (CPP) founded in 1992 as coordinator, CPP provides indigenous women, men and children of different ethnicities to allow them the opportunity for cultural and artistic self-expression through photography. Simultaneously I work with some other projects as a production management consultant and final I am the Local coordinator of the growing “Chiapas Maya Collection Project”.
Mujeres Indígenas Fotógrafas: MIF is a group of three women from of Tsotsil and Tseltal ethnic groups (Martha López, Juana López y Antonia Intzín) who coordinate CPP activities. They manage the office and give photography training workshops in communities and the city for indigenous people of several ethnicities. Their projects are completed as libritos/ Little books.
How did the Creative Matterz Fund help you realize your project?
The fund helped us ensure fair pay to all parts involved in these first stages of the project. The translation was a bigger challenge than expected and the fact that we had the CMzF support, motivated all of us to push through doubts and insecurities, leading to a very exciting work process. We are now more excited than ever to move forward with the next stages which include the co-creation of a printed booklet with the campaign and MIF’s photographs, well as its later dissemination and socialization within brands and collectives both in CPP’s and CIPRI’s networks in Chiapas.
Who were your mentors?
Kim Gerlach and Inga Mücke
