This series of individual self-portraits is the continuation of an established collaborative partnership between the artists M. Jenea Sanchez, Gabriela Muñoz, and the Colectiva DouglaPrieta Trabajan (DPT). Located in Agua Prieta, Sonora, MX, the relationship with DPT first began in 2015 and has included an ongoing series of collaborations rooted in reciprocity, trust and mutual support. 

Early in their work as visual artists, Sanchez and Muñoz have previously photographed and rendered portraits of the DPT women. This series invites Colectiva members to create their own self depictions. The individuals, a source of inspiration, are in control of the viewer’s gaze, powerfully owning their narrative. These are women who manifest power through their ability to not only place themselves as central to discourse, but also as essential and non-exclusionary subjects.

DPT is a grass-roots self-help project began in 2003, whose purpose is to assist individuals and families of colonias populares by developing capacities for economic self-sufficiency. The framework of DPT surrounds a permaculture demonstration site. This site is designed to teach families techniques for sustainable food production, gardening, aquaculture, brick production, and livestock raising among other essential skills to cultivate self-determination and productive community culture. The basis of the project is a model of skill-sharing and mutual aid to reduce dependence on weak job markets, government assistance, charity, and border crossing.

To support the production of this work we engaged in a process of collective budgeting and resourcing among the 11 artists. Virtual workshops in lighting, composition, self portraiture and image editing were offered in skill-sharing sessions, a tool essential to the DPT mission. Photographic equipment was sourced and is now a permanent resource available to the members of DouglaPrieta Trabajan, in Agua Prieta, Sonora MX.