ICP Teen Academy
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Maria Cury
My childhood and teenagehood were marked by moving from one country to another and leaving behind the powerful women who inspired me. The distance from my mother and grandmother, who were my earliest role models, brought an internal reckoning; their influence remained a guiding force. As I grew into my teenage years, their wisdom became a foundation upon which I built new connections. I found more sources of strength and inspiration in the faces of my female friends, each adding to the ever-changing tapestry of womanhood that continues to mold me.
The use of archival images in this project serves as a visual bridge to my past, evoking the deep sense of nostalgia that surrounds my childhood. Objects such as rings, necklaces and earrings, which once belonged to my mother, are incorporated as a physical piece of her in which I can carry with me at all times. Notes from my grandma are constant reminders that I will always have a place to call home, no matter where in the world I am.
I am grateful for all the women who shaped who I am today.
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Her inspirations come from filmmakers such as Sofia Coppola and Damien Chazelle but she is also inspired by her Friends, Family and her hometown in Brazil. She is a digital and analog photographer and tends to capture images that resemble stills from a film. She aspires to use her art to highlight voices and uplift women.
She currently attends Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS) as a film major and is attending Chapman University for Broadcast Journalism & Documentary in the fall . She is very honoured to be a part of the International Center of Photography’s Imagemakers 2025 cohort!