V.O.W: Voices of Women
This is a one-month residency project followed by a three-day solo closing exhibition at Treehouse NDSM, taking place between April and May 2025.
Project description: V.O.W: Voices of Women is a project rooted in sisterhood, defiance, and collective action, aiming to challenge oppressive systems through art and storytelling. As a Mexican visual artist living in the Netherlands, I seek to amplify these narratives on a global scale. Women across the world continue to face systemic barriers, including limited opportunities, political and social suppression, and extreme violence - such as femicide. Despite these challenges, women persist. They organize, protest, create, and build communities of resistance. V.O.W investigates the power of women’s voices, bodies, and actions as catalysts for resilience and change. It is a testament to those who refuse to be silenced and a call to witness, remember, and act.
Societal significance: In an era where women’s perspectives are crucial for fostering inclusive debates and stronger community ties, V.O.W seeks to bring together diverse voices from around the world. This one-month project will highlight the bonds formed through shared stories, self-development, and solidarity. By coming together, women empower each other - demonstrating that despite differences in backgrounds, professions, and identities, they are enough. Their voices matter, their presence matters, and their resistance matters.
Personal journey: My deep interest in women’s rights emerged from personal experiences in a male-dominated environment. While studying medicine, I witnessed stark power imbalances that eventually contributed to my decision to leave the field. I underwent six months of intensive therapy before pursuing a degree in visual arts, but the desire to bring unheard voices to light never faded. This journey started with me studying movement - both physically and metaphorically - as a way to understand the challenges faced by women worldwide. My Fluidity series reflects personal and collective transformations, aligning with themes of resilience and visibility. It asks: What if women were free to dance everywhere in the world? What would the world look like? These artworks, symbolizing strength and resilience, marked the beginning of this project and will also be featured in its exhibition.
Artistic Method
- Combining painting, drawing and writing to capture women’s stories.
- Conducting interviews with women activists, survivors, and creatives working on themes of gender inequality, domestic violence, and femicide.

María Elena Ríos
María Elena Ríos (Mexico) is an activist and saxophonist who has spent recent years documenting violence against women and seeking justice for survivors. She is herself a survivor of an acid attack perpetrated by her ex-partner - a case that brought national attention to the issue of acid attacks against women.
In response, she became a leading voice in the fight for legal reform, playing a key role in the creation and promotion of Ley Malena - legislation that classifies acid attacks as a specific form of gender-based violence and imposes harsher penalties on perpetrators. Through her advocacy, Maria Elena continues to push for systemic change and greater protection for women in Mexico.
I had the honor of interviewing María Elena, and created this portrait as a tribute to her. Her story and voice continue to inspire a series of new works, which I’m developing with the intention of sharing her narrative beyond national borders.

Mahé Elipe
Mahé Elipe (France) is a photographer based in Mexico blending photojournalism with documentary and fine art photography. Her work captures the resilience of women, from street protests to intimate moments of everyday life. Her imagery highlights stories of resistance, activism, and female strength.
A photograph from Mahé Elipe’s series Sembrando Luchas served as a inspiration for this project, leading to the creation of Danza de Protesta - a painting that captures the strength and urgency of women’s protests in Mexico. In a country where an average of 10 women are murdered each day and over 70% experience violence in their lifetime, these women rise to confront a system marked by deep-rooted inequality.
I also had the opportunity to learn more about her photojournalistic work focused on women's stories.

Narges Mohammadi
Narges Mohammadi is a an Iranian human rights activist, journalist, and a leading voice in the struggle for women's rights and freedom in Iran. For over two decades, she has advocated for gender equality and the abolition of the death penalty, enduring years of imprisonment, harassment, and personal sacrifice as a result of her activism. As vice president of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, she has been a leading voice for political prisoners and civil liberties in Iran.
Despite facing 13 arrests, more than 30 years of sentences, and 154 lashes, she has never given up on her fight for justice. Even from prison, she continues to inspire through her words and actions, becoming a symbol of hope and resistance. In 2023, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, highlighting her enduring impact.
Making her portrait made me realize the privilege of artistic freedom - something I (still) can enjoy, but which is denied to her in her own country. This work stands as both a tribute and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for basic rights.
Schedule of activities
3-day Solo Exhibition
- Dates & times:
Friday, May 2, 6pm-9pm
Saturday, May 3, 2:30pm-6pm
Sunday, May 4, 2:30pm-6pm
Activities: Final exhibition and closing events
Location: Treehouse, NDSM, T.T: Neveritaweg 55-57, 1033 WB, Amsterdam, Netherlands
I would love to see you there!