Exhibit to feature poetic works by 2023 Texas Poet Laureate ire’ne lara silva, and Angelina Sáenz
Fort Worth, Texas – April 3, 2024 – Award-winning photographer Constance Jaeggi has her most recent photographic study, Escaramuza, The Poetics of Home at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame (NCM) as part of its new exhibition, SOLDADERAS TO AMAZONAS: Escaramuzas Charras.
“The Cowgirl Museum sought Constance Jaeggi to participate in this exhibition and I believe many will find her art both arresting and beautiful,” said NCM Associate Executive Director Diana Vela, PhD, who is the principal investigator, researcher, and curator. “Constance travelled across the country to capture these authentically unique portraits of women who celebrate an important part of their Mexican culture through the sport.”
The exhibition also includes original poetic works from 2023 Texas Poet Laureate ire’ne lara silva, and Angelina Sáenz, award-winning educator, poet and writing project fellow at UCLA. Their collaboration considers themes of identity, family, and gender within the escaramuza community.
Escaramuza, translated to English, is the word for “skirmish,” and consists of an eight-member team of equestrians executing intricate patterns at a gallop. Its origins trace back to the Mexican revolution when women began riding horses to protect their communities and today it is considered a performance art. As escaramuzas charras, these women reclaim their Mexican cultural heritage and affirm their Mexican American identity. Riders wear stunning traditional outfits inspired by the fearless soldaderas, women fighters in the Mexican Revolution.
“Photographing these remarkable women has been a journey of profound discovery, unveiling a unique tapestry of personal narratives and experiences which we wanted to make sure were seen and heard,” said Jaeggi. “Our collaboration aims to empower and amplify the voices of these women, and questions what it means to be Mexican, what it means to be American, and what it means to be a woman.”
Jaeggi will be at the Museum on Thursday, April 25th from 5:30-7:00PM, as the featured guest speaker for the Museum’s monthly program series, called Cowgirl Connection, to talk about her project. This program is free to attend; however, advanced reservations are required and seating is limited. If you are interested in attending, please email rsvp@cowgirl.net.
Jaeggi is a Swiss photographic artist based between London, UK and Fort Worth, TX. She moved to Texas from her native Switzerland in 2009 to pursue her degree from TCU and begin her competitive cutting horse-riding career. Jaeggi has studied at the New York Film Academy and most recently completed a Master of Art History and Art World Practice at Christie’s in London. In 2021, she was shortlisted for the Critical Mass Awards and has been published notably by The Guardian and The Washington Post.
About the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honors and celebrates women, past and present, whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience, and independence that helped shape the West. Established in 1975, the Museum is considered an invaluable national educational resource for its exhibits, research library, and rare photograph collection. The Museum is located in Fort Worth’s Cultural District at 1720 Gendy Street and is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults (12+); $9 for seniors (65+) and military; $6 for children (ages 3-12) and children 3 and under free with paid admission. For more news and information visit www.cowgirl.net and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.