Maya Louhichi and Rocio Guerrero Marin in residency at National Museum of History and Science (MUHNAC)

In January – February 2025, artists Maya Louhichi and Rocío Guerrero Marin were in residence at the Museum of Natural History and Science (MUHNAC) in Lisbon.

Maya Louhichi developed a photographic installation titled “Invisible Legacies – The Lasting Impact of Colonial Science on Our Perceptions of Beauty and Identity”, presented as part of the ongoing exhibition “The PhotoImpulse”. Her research focused on photographs and images of objects from the museum’s collection, tracing the enduring influence of colonial-era beauty standards. As Maya noted, “During the colonial period, European beauty standards were imposed as universal models of grace and distinction. This influence is still visible in many areas: the fashion and film industries promote ideals that are often Eurocentric, the media value certain body types over others, and practices such as skin whitening or hair straightening reflect a desire to conform to these imposed canons.”
At the conclusion of her residency, Maya was invited by curator Teresa Flores to present a conference-debate at her university.

Rocío Guerrero Marín centred her research in the Botanical Gardens managed by the National Museum of Natural History and Science at the University of Lisbon. Her work examined the Portuguese colonial past, the appropriation of botanical knowledge, and the gardens as a symbol of imperial power. In parallel, Rocío developed a sound-based exploration of the gardens, inviting listeners to consider plants as holders of memory, identity, and historical presence. This project, titled “Decolonial Botanical Songbook”, culminated in a workshop for local youth held at the Palace of the Counts of Calheta, promoting African historical and cultural memory through sound and narrative.

To close the residency, both artists participated in a public “In Conversation” event with MUHNAC Director Marta Lourenço, which was live-streamed via MUHNAC’s YouTube channel.