In spite of the fact that Venezuela has greater oil reserves than Saudi Arabia, my country has one of the fastest shrinking economies in the world. Food and medicines are in desperately short supply while the murder rate soars and the national currency is worth less than the paper it is printed on. One of the consequences of this crisis is the increasing numbers of Venezuelans who have or are hoping to emigrate, of which I am one, having left my home to study in North America at the age of 17.

We Venezuelans widely regard Venezuela as feminine, as a woman. When I return however I am always struck by the vital, yet unrecognized role women play in Venezuelan society. As a response, this series of portraits then looks towards the women of Venezuela, celebrating the collective, modest but real-life heroes of my homeland.