Imagining life without gender violence 
By Alejandro Devesa 

Art Exhibit 
Imagina 2009 
''Alma de Mujer'' by Flor Abundiz 
Fri, Dec 4–Fri, Dec 11 
William Martin Gallery 
Fábrica La Aurora 

The problem of violence against women in Mexico, and around the world, concerns all of us as a society.

Imagina 2009 comprises a series of art exhibits in various locations in San Miguel that begins November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This project aims to raise people’s awareness through artistic expressions ranging from films to installations, writing, painting and photography. 

One of the works presented within the framework of this series is Flor Abundiz’s “Alma de Mujer” (“Soul of a Woman”), autobiographical writing illustrated with photographs that recounts the life of a woman—daughter, mother, wife and grandmother—who like many women in Mexico has suffered violence most of her life. During her first 14 years her existence was marked by a violent, alcoholic father and a neurotic mother. After that, she was married against her wishes and became the victim of her partner. 

The story takes place in the 1970s, a time when the movement toward women’s rights was only nascent.

Abundiz describes the insecurity, depression, and lack of support and self-esteem she felt, all of which in turn made an escape from her abuse seem hopeless. 

About the work the artist commented that “Alma de Mujer” is a puzzle that represents every stage of life, a broken soul that seeks to convey to women with this problem that it can be overcome. “I hope to show that seeking appropriate help can allow women to survive despite everything.”

Abundiz is taking part in this group exhibit at the invitation of Natalia Sánchez Armijo, who has been identifying galleries and artists interested in supporting the exhibit commissioned by the organizer Lena Bartula. 

Today, Abundiz’s life has changed; finally free of the violence and persecution that she lived with for years, she is steadfast in her determination that violence should not be allowed at any time or under any circumstances. 

“Alma de Mujer” will be presented at the William Martin Gallery on Dec. 4 at the Fábrica La Aurora during the December Art Walk, along with work by William Martin.

According to results of the latest National Survey on the Dynamics of Household Relationships conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography in Mexico in 2006, 67 of every 100 women 15 years of age or older have suffered an incident of violence, either in their relationships with partners or within the larger community, at work, within the family or at school. 

The most frequent violence is perpetrated by the woman’s current or former husband or partner (43.2 percent of women), followed by violence within the community at large (39.7 percent of women), violence at work (29.9 percent of women working outside the home), within the family (15.9 percent) and at school (15.6 percent).