Shortlist, The Women of Juchitan by Delphine Blast

The women of the city of Juchitán – located in the Mexican state of Oaxaca – have for years fuelled a collective imagination that has placed them at the centre of many legends. In this city in southern Mexico, the women are known for their strength and independence, especially economically. It is an astonishing community that some even define as matriarchal. The women of Mexico’s Isthmus of Tehuantepec have achieved world renown for their colorful traditional dress, which was famously adopted by the artist Frida Kahlo. In July 2019, I went to Juchitán, where I met around 30 inhabitants and photographed them in their traditional outfits in an outdoor studio. I then framed each picture with traditional Mexican oil cloths, typical of the region. Their bright colours contrast with the softness of the portraits.