Interview with May Carro Cabaleiro
 

galerie probst (gp): How does your perspective as a woman influence your artistic practice, and are there specific themes related to gender, identity, or empowerment that emerge in your work?

 

May Carro Cabaleiro (MCC): I do believe that my artistic expression is feminine. It is not specifically about certain themes, but rather about a particular emphasis, a way of seeing, a way of approaching things—one that seeks touch and healing.

 

 

 

gp: How did you get into art, and what initially inspired you?

 

MCC: Even as a child, it was an instinctive way of searching for answers.

 

 

 

gp: Have you experienced any particular challenges as a woman in the art world? If so, what helped you to overcome them?

 

MCC: I am convinced that women find fulfillment in a different way than men do. In the final years of my studies, I noticed that my interests regarding public engagement and art were fundamentally different from those of men. I believe that women have a stronger interest in community, belonging, and healing visions and attitudes. My response was rather to withdraw and focus on deeper inner work.

 

 

 

gp: Are there any female artists—past or present—who have inspired your career, and what influence have they had on your work?

 

MCC: Of course! Hilma af Klint (1862–1944) for her search for the spiritual dimension in art, Georgiana Houghton (1814–1884) for her transpersonal perspective, Etel Adnan (1925–2021) for her authenticity and simplicity, and my friend Barbara Diethelm, because she seeks answers in the stars.

 

 

 

gp: What role do you think art plays in today’s society, particularly in terms of empowering women and marginalized voices?

 

MCC: I believe that there is great openness and growing interest in diversity and differentiation, as well as a much more refined and nuanced artistic perspective. The world is naturally becoming more feminine.

 

 

 

gp: What advice would you give to aspiring female artists finding their way in the art world today, and what changes would you like to see for women in the arts in the coming years?

 

MCC: Be open to everything, but at the same time, stay true to your own deep, natural needs.

 

 

 

gp: What developments in the art scene regarding gender equality would you like to see in the future? What challenges do you think women in the art world still face?

 

MCC: I repeat: The world will become feminine on its own—or it will cease to exist.

 

 

 

gp: How do you perceive the current state of the art market, and are there any trends that influence your artistic direction?

 

MCC: I feel that there is greater knowledge of quality. Hopefully, new materials and techniques will serve truth, authenticity, and a better world.

 

 

 

gp: Was it a conscious decision to work with a female gallery owner, or were other factors decisive?

 

MCC: An absolutely conscious, heart-led, intuitive decision—if we want to express ourselves in a feminine way.

 

 

 

MCC: One more relevant thought: To me, it is self-evident that the rigid boundaries of what we have so far defined as male or female are dissolving—and that is a good thing. When I speak of femininity, I refer more to feminine qualities, which can exist in any gender identity.