Artist Statement

As a Mexican-American multidisciplinary artist, my practice is rooted in my bi-ethnic experience and expressed through traditional forms of art making, such as painting and sculpture. Growing up in a household with two distinct identities of Mexican and White has formed many bittersweet moments navigating impostor syndrome, struggling with a sense of belonging, and a continuous journey of self-discovery. My racial and ethnic identity derives from my relationships with family, friends, society, and myself. The latest series in my body of work explores the idea of “Nepantla”, a Nahuatl word that signifies the “in-between”, conjuring what it means to be from different cultures and grappling with its complexities. I use materials that are both commonly and not commonly found in traditional making, which indicates my disconnection from certain cultural practices. Through self-portraiture in painting and sculpture, I strive to provide the representation I have longed for a story that is uniquely mine yet resonates with so many others. As I shape my practice, I aspire to foster bicultural confidence, envisioning my art as a tool for liberation, not only for myself but for others navigating the challenges of a bi-ethnic existence.