The “butteri” are the cattlemen and horsebreeders of Maremma, Italy. My work involves the horse and cattle WOMEN of the area. Because of the tough physicality of the job and Italy’s third recession, the cowboys are disappearing. To preserve the traditions of the region, the Tuscany regional government did something drastic this year – offering a training course for the first time ever to both men AND WOMEN wanting to become working “butteri.” Of the 12 students selected, nine were women. The top spot went to a woman. My work explores the role women are playing in the changing buttero world.
