Self-representation of identity through the arts: The experience of the Children Photography workshop with Mapuche students

Abstract

This paper reflects on the experience of the Mapuche Children Photography Workshop as a practice of self-representation of identity through art. This workshop, which had a qualitative methodology, took place in Santiago de Chile and aimed to initiate a dialogue on the capacity of the artistic and photographic image to elaborate a new account of Mapuche identity in the urban context. The children who participated in the project examined their family and personal experiences in order to build a Mapuche image based on their visual imaginary. This workshop resulted in a series of portraits that enabled new views and readings of the phenomenon of ethnic identity from the perspective and positioning of those portrayed. The recreated images make up micro-stories that oppose the great identity narrative of society that, in the case of Mapuche identity, imposes stigmas and stereotypes.