Teacher Name: Alice Costas
Grade: 12
Materials: Embroidery and ink on canvas
Dimensions: 9 x 12 inches
Description: This piece features a song lyric from Juan Gabriel (Mexican musician). Translation of the lyric; “There is nothing like the freedom to be, to be, to go, to LOVE, to do, to speak, to go about without any shame.” It sounds a little weird translated to English as it’s a direct translation and in Spanish, there are two forms of “to be” (each is used in different scenarios). What I did was cross out the word “como”, so instead it translates to saying that we don’t have the freedom to what is later mentioned. I capitalized “amar” (to love) to make sure that the viewer realizes that the lack of freedom to love is the focus of the piece. Essentially, my piece is talking about homophobia in Latin America.
Artist Statement: As an interdisciplinary artist, the media I work with is specific to each piece. I particularly enjoy creating pieces with embroidery, block-printing, and watercolor as those mediums allow me the most control and precision when creating. The most recurring subjects in my work include Mexican culture and civil rights issues. I create work that showcases the beauty of my culture and brings awareness to important issues that are overlooked. The issues I choose to address in my work always have a personal tie to me. I’ve made pieces concerning sexual assault with an emphasis on victim-blaming, homophobia in Latin America, and gun violence in school. My precise line work, minimal color, and text in these pieces allow my message to be clear and concise to the viewer. When creating work about Mexican culture, I gravitate towards documenting my family through film and creating a soundscape that transmits intimacy and the importance of music and language in culture.
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