PENÉLOPES exhibition at the Spanish Cultural Centre of México.

Penelopes — Waiting, Absence, and Resilience

Penelopes, a project by documentary photographer Héctor Mediavilla, was presented from March 5 to May 5 at the Cultural Centre, with the support of Casa Amèrica Catalunya.

Inspired by the myth of Penelope, the exhibition explored the lives of many Mexican women who remain behind, waiting for partners who have migrated to the United States. Through photography and video, the project offered an intimate portrait of female experience shaped by absence, uncertainty, and endurance.

Stories of Migration and Everyday Strength

Absence, waiting, and silence define a reality marked by unfinished plans and open-ended stories. Yet within this uncertainty lies a powerful capacity for adaptation. These narratives unfold against the backdrop of long-standing migratory movements—not only in Mexico, but across many regions of the world.

The exhibition invited viewers to engage with these stories as part of a shared social fabric—one that continues to shape collective identity. Understanding these experiences becomes essential in imagining more just and inclusive futures.

Visibility and Empowerment

Mediavilla’s work highlighted the vulnerability of women affected by migration, while also recognizing their strength and resilience. It brought attention to a less visible dimension of migration: the experience of those who stay behind and wait.

At its core, Penelopes reinterpreted the classical myth through contemporary lives—portraying women who move forward despite uncertainty, driven by the hope of building a better future for their children.