VIRGENS E BRUXAS

Margarida Paiva e Anaïs Lalange

Exhibition

MIRA Galerias | MIRA FORUM

17 of July 2025—12 of June 2025

Virgins and Witches is a collaborative photo essay between artist Margarida Paiva and Anaïs Lalange that uses references to eco-feminism. Eco-feminism is a current that seeks to explore the interconnections between women's oppression and environmental degradation, circumstances related to patriarchal power structures. The project emphasises the interconnection between women and nature, based on four archetypes - the Virgin, the Witch (on display in the exhibition), the Mother and the Elder (in development).

The project explores these archetypes through the symbolism of the masks made by Anaïs Lalange, objects related to activism and which reinforce the link between the environment, myths and folklore.

The masks become a bridge between the mundane and the supernatural, associating themselves with the figures of virgins and witches as archetypes of power, mystery and connection with nature.

The exhibition also includes the video Soul Blindness (2019), by Margarida Paiva. Inspired by ancient animist beliefs, which attribute a distinct spiritual essence to plants, animals and places, the film highlights our growing inability to recognise that other creatures are conscious beings, just like us.

This exhibition is part of the (In)visibilities and Drifts project

Project funded by DGARTES

Biographical Note

Margarida Paiva is an artist based in Oslo who works with film, photography and installation. In 2000, she graduated in Fine Arts from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Porto and, in 2007, she completed her Master's degree at the National Academy of Arts in Oslo. Her recent work is the result of a personal exploration of the mystical dimension of the natural world. Her recent exhibitions include: Fotografiens Hus (Oslo), Centre Photographique d'Ile-de-France (Pontault-Combault), Muratcentoventidue Contemporary Art Gallery (Bari) and Camara Oscura Contemporary Art Gallery (Madrid).

Anaïs Lalange studied Theatre and Philosophy at the University of Caen, completing her degree in Theatre after an exchange at Queen Mary University of London in 2010. With a background in physical theatre, dance, music and martial arts, she began creating handmade masks in 2014, after several years of training and performing as a professional wrestler. Anaïs creates masks for artists across the UK and beyond, staging them in surreal scenarios that she photographs.

margaridapaiva.net

@aclalange

Documentation