Artist Statement

As a Black and Guatemalan woman, existing within two sides of a perceived dichotomy drives my art, the lens with which I see the past, and my idealizations for the future. My art seeks to represent the gray, the in between, and the unseen. This intimacy with places of uncertainty within my work serves a dual function. One of my central motivations is for viewers to connect the nuances within themselves with those held in my work, but also to understand our role as threads in the collective tapestry of human connection. Sweeping generalizations of identity will always leave voices unheard and by presenting artistic narratives that celebrate the gradation of diverse experiences, viewers transform their own idiosyncrasies as empowering markers of their unique selves. In divisive times, disentangling ourselves from individualism and fostering collectivism through the arts is critical to our role as artists.

My most recent series, Banana Leaf Braids, honors traditional Guatemalan cuisine as an access point to my heritage despite challenges in representation and acceptance due to my Blackness and queerness. I utilize inherited Guatemalan textiles to pay homage to its rich fiber history, especially in the context of foods. Vibrant textiles act as the background, foreground, and subject matter in my pieces, honoring their craftsmanship and their sacred role in Guatemalan culture. They keep tortillas warm for late guests, act as a sieve for ground morro seeds in Guatemalan horchata, and indicate which area in Guatemala they were created. Together, Guatemalan textiles and cuisine hold themes of home, gender, invisible hands of labor, and the preservation of culture.