no llores mi niño

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, fills the streets of Málaga, my hometown in Spain, with processions that are rich in religious symbolism and cultural heritage. Central to these processions are the statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, which showcase powerful narratives of suffering, sacrifice, and maternal grief. Surprisingly, despite Jesus being the one experiencing physical agony on his journey to the cross, his statues always lack tears, whereas the Virgin Mary is depicted with realistic, flowing tears.

This observation led me to consider how these religious representations reinforce traditional gender roles. Phrases such as “stop crying like a girl” perpetuate the notion that emotional expression is a sign of weakness, particularly for men. On the other hand, women are frequently depicted as driven by emotions, reinforcing this perceived vulnerability of the female gender.

Traditional gender roles associate men with traits such as strength, control, and independence, while vulnerability and sensitivity are often seen as feminine characteristics. This conditioning is reinforced by societal expectations of what it means to be a man or a woman. Consequently, boys learn to handle stressors in a more instrumental and less emotional manner, while girls are encouraged to express their emotions and seek social support.

To challenge these stereotypes, I conducted a photoshoot featuring male models re-enacting the statues of the Virgin Mary from Málaga. This reinterpretation seeks to depict men as equally capable of emotional vulnerability, as well as to question traditional gender norms.

Through this project, I aim to analyze how religious art influences societal perceptions of gender and emotional expression. This exploration is both a personal reflection on my cultural heritage and a broader academic inquiry into the interplay of faith, tradition, and gender dynamics.

ART DIRECTION & CREATIVE CONCEPT by CARLA VEGAS @carlavegastores PHOTOGRAPHER Disha Gupta @dishagupta16 HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTIST Laura Eldridge @porcela1nart TALENT Frank Conefrey @frankconefrey Reyes Banton @reyes.banton EDITING Carla Vegas @carlavegastores