Monuments and feminist activism: Queen Isabel la Católica and Virgen Barbie in La Paz

Abstract

Monuments are significant sites of contestation where conflicting narratives are expressed through interventions such as graffiti, defacement, and destruction. This study investigates the Isabel la Católica monument and the Virgen (Virgin) Barbie in La Paz, Bolivia, focusing on how the anarcha-feminist collective Mujeres Creando uses creative interventions to challenge patriarchal and colonial narratives. Their actions, including graffiti, statue dressing, and performances, function as counter-memorials that critique European beauty standards and colonial principles while reimagining Indigenous feminine identity. We employed qualitative methods, including social media analysis and archival research, to examine the motivations behind and impacts of these interventions. Our findings reveal that these symbolic acts challenge colonial narratives, reshape public consciousness, and foster social change and healing. By introducing the concepts of resignification and recontextualisation, we offer insights into how such creative actions transform contested landscapes to reflect Indigenous values and contribute to broader social transformations.