Pre-Hispanic, Not Hispanic: A Pre-Columbian Past
Location
Alumni Hall North
Start Date
6-5-2022 9:40 AM
Department
Art
Abstract
I am an artist who focuses on the subject matter of Native American culture. All my ancestors, and myself were born across America, most of us in Mexico, where I center my attention. We all belong to different ethnic groups that go back to pre-Columbian times, and I have always been impressed by the indigenous cultural values, and the resilience of such millenary culture. I have analyzed my subject matter from my own experience living in Mexico and the United States. I have witnessed Native Americans being treated as an invisible group and a forgotten minority within the United States history. All the iconography I produce is a rendition of the most meaningful aspects of ethnic Native American groups. My work is composed of oil, and acrylic paintings, as well as sculptures using a variety of different types of mediums, such as clay, paper, metal, wood, and fabric. My creations are made up of surreal imagery with bold, intense, vivid colors. In my them, I attempt to give representation, strength, and dignity to my community in America. I want to showcase and document through my work the aspects and qualities of my community, with the ultimate goal of influencing the present and future generations. As a new generation of Native American, I feel the responsibility of keeping alive my culture. While examining my work, I hope that viewers are able to reflect on not only the oppression of Native Americans in America, but also to be able to acknowledge the beauty and sacrifice they have made throughout history.
Faculty Sponsor
Kim Ambriz, Northeastern Illinois University
Pre-Hispanic, Not Hispanic: A Pre-Columbian Past
Alumni Hall North
I am an artist who focuses on the subject matter of Native American culture. All my ancestors, and myself were born across America, most of us in Mexico, where I center my attention. We all belong to different ethnic groups that go back to pre-Columbian times, and I have always been impressed by the indigenous cultural values, and the resilience of such millenary culture. I have analyzed my subject matter from my own experience living in Mexico and the United States. I have witnessed Native Americans being treated as an invisible group and a forgotten minority within the United States history. All the iconography I produce is a rendition of the most meaningful aspects of ethnic Native American groups. My work is composed of oil, and acrylic paintings, as well as sculptures using a variety of different types of mediums, such as clay, paper, metal, wood, and fabric. My creations are made up of surreal imagery with bold, intense, vivid colors. In my them, I attempt to give representation, strength, and dignity to my community in America. I want to showcase and document through my work the aspects and qualities of my community, with the ultimate goal of influencing the present and future generations. As a new generation of Native American, I feel the responsibility of keeping alive my culture. While examining my work, I hope that viewers are able to reflect on not only the oppression of Native Americans in America, but also to be able to acknowledge the beauty and sacrifice they have made throughout history.