Capturing the Essence: Yohana González Q’alel’s Indigenous Guatemala Through the Lens

“Each image ought to embody your unique perspective,” Yohana González Q’alel.

Yohana González Q’alel is a Maya individual hailing from Chi uwi’la, otherwise known as Chichicastenango, located in the highlands of Quiché, Guatemala—a locale abundant in indigenous customs. Growing up conversing in K’iche’ and immersed in traditional practices, Yohana absorbed from her elders the profound vigor of her identity and the steadfastness of indigenous living. Her artwork serves as a testament to this legacy.

As a well-rounded individual, Yohana serves as an educator, photographer, illustrator, and cultural advocate whose endeavors elevate the voices of her community. Armed with a degree in Pedagogy, she employs her expertise in documentary, conceptual, and communal art to safeguard and promote indigenous narratives.

Additionally, she has co-established B’elejeb’ B’atz, a consortium uniting young artists and educators from various regions of Guatemala to nurture creativity and cultural interchange. Her partnerships with Festivales Solidarios enable her to create artwork that conveys significant messages, and via the Wonon Project, she aids in merging Maya Science and Technology into the educational framework in western Guatemala. Each initiative illustrates her dedication to honoring and rejoicing in her heritage.

For Yohana, photography transcends a mere medium; it represents a means to safeguard culture and instigate social transformation. Through her perspective, she seizes the essence of indigenous living, sharing the narratives and insights inherited from her grandparents.

“Through their footsteps, I came to appreciate the vigor of my identity and the steadfastness of indigenous living,” she contemplates. Her camera has evolved into an instrument of cultural advocacy—honoring the wisdom of elders, preserving collective memory, and ensuring her community’s history persists for forthcoming generations.

Upon Yohana’s discovery of photography, she swiftly acknowledged its capacity as a medium beyond mere recreation. She perceived it could serve as a formidable means for resistance and cultural conservation.

“As an indigenous individual, I was raised observing the tales of my community, their challenges, and Maya traditions often overlooked or depicted negatively,” she shares.

Photography transformed into her instrument for contesting such narratives. What began as a private enthusiasm evolved into a shared mission—a device to document the daily experiences and histories of her community.

Contemplating her primary sources of inspiration, she feels profound appreciation for her grandparents. “They were involved in the organizations in our community, and through them, I grasped the profound significance of the dedication to safeguarding our traditional practices,” she conveys.

She also acknowledges her parents for imparting a strong regard for their community’s ethos and for fostering her affection for their indigenous heritage.

“Their dedication not only symbolizes the endurance of our identity but also reflects a deep-seated love and reverence for our origins,” she mentions. These values, handed down across generations, have influenced her outlook and fortified her dedication to maintaining the customs that characterize her.

At the heart of her cherished projects, Yohana highlights the contributions and insights of indigenous women, elders, and community leaders. Her spotlight illuminates the essential roles of midwives, market vendors, healers, weavers, indigenous authorities, members of community organizations, and young women who exemplify the strength of their indigenous identity.

“These women serve as the stewards of ancestral wisdom and life itself,” she articulates.

Her mission is to dismantle the cycles of exoticism and superficiality that have historically been placed upon indigenous communities. Conversely, she aspires to narrate their experiences with dignity and honor.

A recurring motif in Yohana’s photography showcases the profound connection between indigenous women, the earth, and the traditions that safeguard their heritage.

“This bond represents the essence of resistance and culture,” she shares. “These women are the custodians of ancestral wisdom and life itself.”

Whether capturing midwives, keepers of time, or women in the marketplace, Yohana encapsulates the strength, wisdom, and vibrancy that emanate from them.

“Through their deeds, they sustain their traditions,” she emphasizes, spotlighting the profound relationship between the land, rituals, and the women who uphold her community.

When embarking on a new initiative, Yohana’s artistic journey commences with thorough investigation. She attentively listens to the narratives of the individuals she aims to document, ensuring their voices are acknowledged and valued. Along with her inquiry, she is led by the aspirations and requirements of the community.

This entails engaging directly with those she collaborates with, considering their viewpoints, and attaining their approval to ensure their tales are presented with honor. At the foundation of every endeavor lies her pledge to respect their voices and lived experiences.

Yohana’s art focuses on chronicling the experiences of individuals, honoring their narratives, and appreciating the importance of each undertaking. Rather than concentrating on a single location, her endeavors span various indigenous communities.

At present, she is documenting existence in three significant regions: Chi uwi’la (Chichicastenango), her native place; Tz’olojya’ (Sololá), where she captures midwives’ work; and Xelajuj N’oj (Quetzaltenango), where she continues to investigate midwifery and its cultural relevance.

In recent years, Yohana’s oeuvre has transformed into a collection of influential exhibitions. She has engaged in numerous photography initiatives centered on historical recollection and women.

A notable project commenced with the documentation of indigenous women in her community, highlighted at the Ruk’ux Festival 2021 through a photographic display.

Following this, the exhibition was relocated to the El Renacer de los Pueblos Festival in Iximché Tecpán 2023. Furthermore, she engaged in a visual arts mentorship featuring photographs under the theme “Tejer Libertad” (Weaving Freedom), which emphasizes the creation of Maya textiles as indigenous artistry crafted by young women, accompanied by a photographic exhibition spearheaded by the women’s artistic collective La Revuelta.

Yohana is presently undertaking a photographic initiative titled “Memorias Latentes” (Latent Memories), which commenced in 2023 in Quetzaltenango. She is currently broadening the project to Sololá, where she documents midwives’ activities in these communities. The resultant photographs are exhibited alongside student creations from educational institutions in the Sololá area.

In June 2024, she had the chance to display her images at the Pavarotti Educational Center of the Rigoberta Menchú Tum Foundation. The exhibition later appeared at the International Indigenous Women’s Day Festival, organized by the Mujeres Tz’ununija’ Movement, held in Sololá.

Through her photography, Yohana has acquired numerous invaluable life insights. One of the most significant revelations is the value of patience and awareness. “As an indigenous woman, photography has educated me to observe beyond the obvious and discover beauty in the minute, daily details that frequently remain overlooked,” she contemplates.

Yohana’s meticulousness has enhancedher bond with the individuals she depicts, enabling her to seize not only their likenesses but the very spirit of their experiences.

Through the art of photography, she has also come to cherish her own heritage and the significance of safeguarding native traditions.

“I’ve realized that the visuals we produce serve as a means of empowerment,” she states. “They create a platform for voices to be acknowledged.”

Photography has also created opportunities for Yohana to engage with fellow artists, audiences, and cultures, igniting conversations regarding native life and customs.

She contemplates, “In my shows, I have learned how human narratives possess a universal capacity to resonate, regardless of the cultural backdrop.”

These relationships have fortified her conviction in the ability of art to unite differences and promote comprehension.

Her guidance for budding photographers is both straightforward and insightful. “Concentrate on observing your environment and genuinely connecting with individuals, not merely through the lens,” she recommends.

Yohana stresses the necessity of maintaining a sincere voice in one’s art, unhindered by the demands of fashion or outside pressures.

“Every photo should embody your unique perspective,” she concludes, reminding us that authentic creativity originates from within.

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Yohana González Q’alel

Soledad Quartucci, CEO, Latina Republic

Latina Republic aspires for a future where the splendor and resilience of Latin American and Caribbean cultures are acknowledged and valued worldwide. By amplifying the voices of creators and culture bearers, we aim to foster a deeper comprehension of the region’s struggles and triumphs. Our mission is to inspire heightened appreciation for the arts as a mechanism for empathy, unity, and transformative social progress. Through our efforts, we seek to provide all stakeholders with crucial insights for tackling regional issues, ultimately enriching the global cultural landscape and illustrating the victories and challenges of daily existence in Latin America.