‘The Bears” is a series of photographs portraying women who were part of Brown University’s rugby team between 2013-2015.

These women have decided to join a sport that, in addition to challenging them to overcome their physical and mental limits, introduces them to a new community. A community with a strong identity that allows them to explore their own identity free of prejudice. The intention of this work lies in giving greater visibility to these women who, with their presence in a field mostly dominated by men, call into question how we define what is masculine and feminine.

Women who practice this sport are often associated with a male stereotype and categorised to fit in prejudices about their sexuality and identity. These photographs invite us to question what it means to be a woman who plays rugby and what determines whether a sport is seen under the magnifying glass of a specific gender perception.

Alejandra Carles-Tolra is a photographer, facilitator and educator from Barcelona based in London. Questions regarding what defines our identities and the role the group plays in our search for belonging drives her work.

Her work is part of the Arts Council Collection of England and the Col·lecció Nacional de Fotografía of Catalunya. It has been published/ exhibited internationally, including The Guardian, El Pais, National Portrait Gallery, Jerwood Space, Finnish Museum of Photography, Photo Miyota Japan, PHotoEspaña, and Wuhan Art Museum.

As an educator she has a strong commitment to using photography as a voice and tool of empowerment.