‘Anyone Can Be the President’ by Victoria Ruiz and Helena Cebrian

In this ongoing series, the artists capture clothes in their political significance, portraying people coming from diverse backgrounds, all wearing the Brazilian presidential sash
Anyone can be President
Amazon, Mother, 55 million years old, 2021

‘Anyone Can Be the President’ narrates how the personal and the political are deeply intertwined in our appearance and the way we dress.

" ‘Anyone Can Be the President’ is an ongoing photographic series that challenges established norms through the use of the presidential sash, creating a collective union and temporarily overturning societal norms in a carnivalesque manner. The bilingual title reflects Latin American inclusivity, aiming to represent and resonate with all people across the region. Transcending linguistic boundaries with the semiotics of clothing within the series allows different groups to adapt symbols to their own needs more immediately than language, fostering a dynamic dialogue on cultural and political representation.

In this inaugural edition, the series captures a diverse range of people, each wearing the Brazilian presidential sash, which connects individuals by expressing collective identity and emphasizing unity amidst diversity. This act gives visibility to working men and women, highlighting them as distinct individuals rather than anonymous members of society.

The series invites viewers to reflect on how political garments can transform public spaces into arenas of political expression, where collective action and individuality intertwine to create a visual narrative of inclusivity and empowerment—delving into the historical and symbolic significance of the presidential sash as a symbol of revolution and political affiliation."

Anyone can be President

João Victor, Model, 28 years old, 2021

Anyone can be President

Lucia, Doctor, 59 years old, 2024

Anyone can be President

Mother Márcia, Priestess and Iyalorixa, 66 years old, 2024

Anyone can be President

Guilherme, Dancer, 22 years old, 2021

Anyone can be President

Clara, Anthropology professor, 48 years old, 2024

Anyone can be President

Fátima, Seamstress, 59 years old, 2024

Anyone can be President

Daylane, Costume assistant, 26 years old, 2021

Anyone can be President

Unknown name, Fisherman, 2021

Anyone can be President

Nathália, Journalist and Consultant in accessibility and inclusion, 32 years old, 2024

Anyone can be President

Hiltinho, Dancer, 27 years old, 2021

Anyone can be President

Lucia, Housekeeper, 48 years old, 2024

Anyone can be President

Carlos, Doorman, 31 years old, 2024

Anyone can be President

Marcelo, Professor and Fisherman, 66 years old, 2021

Anyone can be President

Mais Velho, Art Transporter, 26 years old 2024