A photographic exhibition at Nottingham’s New Art Exchange is documenting the experiences of the growing number of Latin American women in London.

The exhibition is part of the Women and Independence in Latin America project run by Professor Catherine Davies at The University of Nottingham and explores issues of national and gender identities, freedom and independence.

The exhibition — Empowerment through Art: Photography and Latin American Migrant Girls in London — is the result of the University’s collaboration with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the London-based Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS).

British-Mexican photographer Pablo Allison developed the exhibition and helped 11 Latin American women on the cusp of adulthood develop their photography skills. Their work is featured in the show.

Dr Maria Thomas, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University who works on the Women and Independence in Latin America project, including this exhibition, said: “The exhibition is exciting because it gives us a snapshot of how young, female Latin Americans see their adopted country at a time the UK Latin American community is growing steadily.

“In 2008 there were around 186,500 Latin Americans living in the UK and the numbers are rising. Although the community is now a large, dynamic and important presence in London, its experiences are often overlooked. As representatives of this community, these girls appear in the photographs as empowered young women.”

The exhibition is supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, LAWRS, the School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies and the Centre for Advanced Studies at The University of Nottingham and the Horizon Hub.

Empowerment through Art: Photography and Latin American Migrant Girls in London is at New Art Exchange,  39 Gregory Boulevard, Nottingham NG7 6BE, until Saturday 20 April.

Visit: http://thenewartexchange.org.uk