Indigena

From the Artist

My printIndigenais based on an ancient pre-Columbian design from Mexico. It was originally created on clay. I have always been drawn to and fascinated with Mexican-Indian designs that were a part of everyday life—from the functional to spiritual. They could be found on everything from a spoon to a temple. Their beauty of line, form, and ability to abstractly capture feelings, emotions, and ideas visually is truly an inspiration for me. By recreating andreinterpreting this image, I feel a relationship with the original artist.It is my way of honoring, sharing, and keeping their idea alive in another time and space.It is my way of honoring sharing and keeping alive my cultural heritage locked and loaded.
—From Brandywine Workshop and Archives records

Artists have been the voice, the eyes and ears of the community, but have also kept our spirits alive and really shown the beauty of our culture. I think that’s why I feel so proud to be a Mexicana because we have this legacy of activism in the arts, beauty in the arts. Our roots are ancient, and the arts are highly respected in our community. I’m proud to be part of that whole.
_{—Excerpted from http://www.galeriadelaraza.org/eng/exhibits2/archive/exhibits.php?op=view&id=206&media=info&year=2001, accessed 6-23-2021}