#Paris #France #All the Things They Carry #Roxana Savin #Katharina Holderegger

All the Things They Carry: Exploring the Burdens of Femininity

On January 29, 2026, La Galerie des Photographes in Paris will unveil the much-anticipated exhibition, All the Things They Carry (Toutes les choses qu'elles portent), showcasing the powerful works of four distinguished female artists. This exhibition seeks to address the visible and invisible burdens that women navigate—symbolic legacies, societal confines, and intimate experiences—against a backdrop of wavering women’s rights. Curated by Katharina Holderegger, the exhibition emphasizes the balancing act between creativity, motherhood, and personal identity, encouraging visitors to ponder the complexities of female existence.

One of the standout artists, Roxana Savin, presents an intriguing dual series: I’ll be late tonight (2012–2020) and God Created Woman (2022-present). Her work probes the domestic life of expatriate homes filled with perfection and silence, where the often-unseen efforts of women raise questions about the sanctification of femininity and control over bodies. This exploration interlaces mundane realities with religious symbolism, furthering the discussion around women's roles in society.

Elizabeth Hansen’s contribution consists of life-size diptychs from her Welcome/Welcome Back series (1996–2021). These portraits depict a dialogue of self-exploration fifteen years apart, offering a compelling juxtaposition of the identity journey a woman undergoes from youth to motherhood. Her art scrutinizes how the female form is burdened by social and emotional expectations, prompting viewers to confront objectification through a reflective lens.

Further expanding the narrative, Sarah Knill-Jones's artwork, The (Dis-)Appearing Woman (2014–2015), examines the flux of appearance and reality encountered by Western women in Azerbaijan. Her portraits, partially obscured, evoke themes of exile, identity suspension, and the reduction of women to traditional roles. By later presenting an audiovisual dialogue with native women, she amplifies voices often marginalized, fostering a richer conversation around identity and belonging.

The exhibition also features the evocative work of Ingrid Butterer, specifically from the Every Day is Mother's Day Project (2017–ongoing). Her poignant piece, Milk Hole Abstraction 10.2025, utilizes spilled or encapsulated milk as a metaphor for care, fear, and the establishment of personal boundaries. This transformation from survival to reconstruction reflects the daily struggles endured by many women as they navigate trauma and rebuild their identities.

Collectively, these compelling pieces articulate that women do not relinquish their subjectivity when they take on the roles of mothers, wives, migrants, or caregivers. Instead, they continue to carve out their individuality amid societal demands to conform to reductive symbols. The exhibition not only invites reflection on femininity but also calls for recognition of the resilience embedded in women's journeys.

All the Things They Carry will be open from January 29 to February 7, 2026. Visitors can partake in a variety of events during this period, including:

• - January 29, 6-9 PM: Opening Reception
• - January 30, 7 PM: Conversation titled Rebuilding Home: Boundaries, Repair, and Autonomy after Abuse led by curator Katharina Holderegger and artist Ingrid Butterer.
• - January 31, 3 PM: Guided tour in French with Katharina Holderegger.
• - February 5, 7 PM: A participatory craft performance featuring artists Elizabeth Hansen and Raelle Myrick-Hodges.
• - February 6, 7 PM: Discussion on Home, Elsewhere: Women, Care, and the Instability of Belonging, followed by a film screening.
• - February 7, 3 PM: Final guided visit with curator Katharina Holderegger and closing reception.

The exhibition promises to be a challenging yet rewarding experience, encouraging dialogue and introspection around the realities of femininity and societal expectations. Join us in celebrating these artists who bravely navigate and question the norms that shape our understanding of women's experiences today. For more information, visit elleportent.com.

Location: La Galerie des Photographes, 29 rue Keller, 75011 Paris
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 2 PM - 6 PM (closed Monday)