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ARTIST & PAINTER

Memories that Remember Us 

Memories that Remember Us is a deeply personal exploration centered around the multifaceted experiences tied to Freddie Gray's narrative, with a more focused lens on my own journey. It delves into self-exploration, the significance of materials, and a newfound connection to indigenous roots catalyzed by a significant life event.


Initiated by my mother sharing with me our indigenous roots, the project gained material depth when volcanic sand from Popocatépetl temple, sent by my grandmother, became a crucial element. These materials serve as vessels for summoning memories, intertwining personal history and cultural heritage within each stroke.

In "Misterio," a nostalgic rendering of a childhood fish becomes a poignant metaphor. Initially drawn as a beautiful fish or a house for my family, the memory resurfaces, urging a reevaluation of artistic purpose. This self-reflection unfolds as an exploration of materials, heritage, and personal background.


"Los Recuerdos que se Acuerdan de Nosotros" encapsulates the essence of the series, featuring an abstracted image of being struck by a car—a pivotal moment that metaphorically parallels being hung up by life and then abruptly hit. This impactful instance serves as a turning point, signaling the inception of my figurative work and a reckoning with the profound beauty of skin.


Baltimore, a new environment, provided a transformative backdrop. Here, the majority being people of color offered a nuanced perspective, where I felt seen not through just the white gaze but through genuine curiosity. This shift in perception mirrored Freddie Gray's echoes, reminiscent of the car’s impact on my body.

Los Recuerdos que se Acuerdan de Nosotros, Oil paint, black sand, and marble dust, 84 x 72 inches, 2016

The work draws on Indigenous material traditions and the cultural significance of volcanic landscapes in central Mexico, particularly Popocatépetl. In Baltimore, these ancestral references intersect with contemporary histories of racialized policing and the death of Freddie Gray.

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