Today, we’re presenting a truly unique series of photographs by Irina Werning from Argentina. For 17 years, she has dedicated her work to capturing creative portraits of long-haired women. The project, titled 'Dear Long Hair,' showcases various images of children and adults who share one distinctive feature: extremely long hair.
The author told us more about the genesis of starting the project: 'For indigenous communities, hair is the physical manifestation of our thoughts and an extension of ourselves, and the same is true with the thoughts of Mother Earth like plants growing and rivers flowing in nature. This relationship is based on a profound spiritual connection to Earth that guided indigenous communities to practice reverence, humility, and reciprocity.'
Since 2006, Irina has been searching and photographing women with long hair in Argentina. The project evolved into an anthropological journey into the origins and cultural identity of Latin America today, showcasing the fusion of indigenous traditions with waves of immigration.
She mentioned that other indigenous communities worldwide share similarities, but Latin America stands out for its remarkably hybrid population. The models posing for her photographs understand the significance of honoring and celebrating their long hair, reflecting years of patience, love, and dedication.
Irina expressed her plans to continue working on the project, aiming to publish a book and delve into how this tradition is influenced by mainstream global culture. She emphasized the creative challenge of maintaining freshness in a long-term project and highlighted her upcoming focus on the impact of modern culture on traditional practices.
Stay tuned for more updates on this captivating project that beautifully captures the essence of long hair and its cultural significance.