Karla Q. Leon as 'La Llorona', 'Para Ecuador, Con Amor'

Karla Quiñonez Leon as ‘La Llorna’ for her inaguaral solo exhibition ‘Para Ecuador, Con Amor’
Karla Q. Leon

Creative Direction by Karla Q. Leon
25–10–24

Photography for Karla Q. Leon in a self depiction as ‘La Llorna’, a fabled figure in Latin American culture, “('the Crying Woman, the Weeping Woman, the Wailer') is a vengeful ghost in Mexican folklore who is said to roam near bodies of water mourning her children whom she drowned in a jealous rage after discovering her husband was unfaithful to her. Whoever hears her crying either suffers misfortune or death and their life becomes unsuccessful in every field” (2024, December, Wikipedia).

Leon chose to embody this depiction of folklore to subvert the meaning of its negative omen through her own existence, being proof of a fruitful career, as a rebellious and triumphant act to take claim in her identity as an artist whilst in homage to her Ecuadorian roots. The direct aim of inspiration were her nieces who became firsthand exponents of being gifted the opporutnity to explore their own interests for their paths in life.

The images were shown from the 25th of Ocotber until the 27th, in the London Bridge area, alongside her sculptural works and archive of family imagery.

Commission
Photography, La Llorona, Exhibition, Karla Q Leon, Hair, Ecuador, Para Ecuador Con Amor, 2024,