Natalia Ruiz Galindo

Trazando Raíces is a personal journey of self-discovery, tracing the lives and stories of the women who came before me. This photographic project looks into our shared memories, aiming to explore, understand, and sometimes reinterpret these narratives. With my photographs I strive to go beyond simply capturing a visual image to tell a story. I aim to create images with a poetic essence that connect with the viewers emotions. By searching for myself in the stories of these women, I discovered similarities that connect us across generations. In tribute to these women, I have written a poem that accompanies their stories. This work is a reflection of my inner world and a celebration of the women who have shaped my family history.

Don't be fooled by the solemn silence,

or the sorrow that fills the air.

In this garden of tears, dear soul,

you will prevail.

Listen closely, child, you come from Soldaderas,

who did not bend to fear's will.

They met their destiny with grace,

prepared with a soft heart for the battlefield.

Though forced to leave their land,

they built nests within their souls,

So tender to those they held,

yet enduring the toughest storm.

Writers, poets, and painters,

their lives were filled with art.

So don’t question if you are capable of such a life;

it runs in your blood.

This garden deemed decadent and bare,

is fertile soil laid by them with care.

Trim the weeds, dance barefoot in the earth,

and soon you’ll see the abundance it bears.

Nurture and cultivate this sacred ground,

strengthen the foundations for the ones to come.

Natalia.