Helena Gualinga 2023 Painting

I was born a girl as the third oldest daughter in a family of 17 children in a Laestadian household. As a woman, her role model was deeply influenced by motherhood, as dictated by the guidelines of the religion. The guidance in her life was driven by the fear of securing a place in heaven, shaped by a sensitive conscience. At the age of 18, she married, and by the age of 27, she had experienced 9 pregnancies, of which only 5 children survived. In 2012, she left both the Laestadian faith and her marriage. Throughout her life, Minna has always turned to painting and writing to cope with difficulties. She embarked on her personal journey of self-discovery and healing through the transformative medium of art therapy, eventually becoming a certified art therapy facilitator and a solution-focused coach. Minna's art and poetry, designed to provide peer support, have extended their reach far beyond the borders of Finland, offering solace and resonating with people across the globe. The "I was born a girl" exhibition, provided an opportunity to bring the power of peer support through art exhibitions to communities globally. It also awakened a desire to make human rights visible through art and poetry, so that at least one woman in the world could become aware of them and find support for herself. To help women regain control of their lives, prioritize their mental well-being, and experience a sense of empowerment. In order for them to receive words of peer support for their personal experiences without shame or fear, to know they are not alone, and to feel the awakening of hope.