Artist’s Statement

Growing up in the not-so-suburbs of Southern California taught me how to be quiet, resourceful and practical. The ultimate goal for me and my sister was to shut our mouths, go to college, and find a practical career to break the chain of poverty that comes with being a first-generation Mexican American. My mother, a woman of strict values and constant outbursts, conditioned us to be meek and stick to the script, a habit that I am still struggling to unlearn today. Art allows me to express myself visually and to physically process both negative and positive experiences. I often find that art allows me to communicate in ways that I cannot verbally.

My art is deeply personal, often recording a moment of realization or of intense emotion. To me, the most gratifying part of art-making is the process of creation. I value the exploration of mediums and creating pieces that are visually appealing and purposefully anxiety-inducing to look at. My clay work often includes elements of woodwork and acrylic painting. My paintings are often large and incorporate plastics, wire, and magazine clippings. My videography work is purposefully unnerving to look at, jumpy, and my characters and storylines are often based on my personal experiences and emphasize the use of symbolism. I enjoy creating art that’s experimental and vague enough to be interpreted differently amongst different viewers.