The monstrous female figure—la Monstra—has long carried the weight of double standards, shaped by histories of colonialism, sexism, and slavery. Today, contemporary Latin American women writers are reclaiming these figures to challenge fear, power, and identity. From a woman who shape-shifts into a leopard, to haunted mirrors that suggest traces of witchcraft, to grotesque bodies with feathers and claws—these new Monstras speak from the margins with unsettling force.
This talk will explore stories by Claudia Hernández (El Salvador), Gabriela Ponce (Ecuador), Nicole Sánchez Castillo (Colombia), Mariana Enriquez (Argentina), María Fernanda Ampuero (Ecuador), among others, to reflect on the emerging voices shaping the future of horror in the region.
The lecture will be followed by a 30-minute performance of the Nagwals Mascarada and Viejitos
This event is presented in partnership with Cultural Coalition.
This event pairs well with ¡MONSTRAS!: Female Legends of Latin America on view through August 31, 2025
