|
I graduated from the University of California, San Diego in
June 2000 with a B.S. in Biochemistry/Cell Biology and a minor
in Studio Art. During my years at UCSD, an increased need for
family history sparked an internal flame to research my parent’s
deceased mothers. Both grandmothers passed away when my parents
were children. Celebrating Dia de los Muertos enabled me to
draw closer to my grandmothers and to understand their lives
and personalities.
My inspiration to pursue painting arose from my first trip
to Mexico City in 1996. At the time I was familiar with various
Mexican artists including David Alfaro Siquieros, Jose Clemente
Orozco, Diego Rivera, Guadalupe Posada y Frida Kahlo. During
this trip I explored the city in search of the murals, homes
and studios of these artists that inspire me. Since then,
I have returned to Mexico several times in order to refuel
my soul with its richness in art.
Finally in 2000, I took my first painting class and was able
to bring together my influences of Mexican art and culture
into an ongoing series entitled Calaveras in Celebration of
Life. For the Voz Alta art exhibition, I was thrilled to realize
a project that began in 2000 as a scribble in my biology class
notes. Loteria de la Mujer is a series of paintings that depicts
a Latina’s evolution as she comes into full bloom in
an ever-changing world. These images from my imagination were
influenced by mi cultura y tradiciones Mexicanas. The full
realization of this exhibition in April 2003 was presented
as a multidisciplinary project in collaboration with Brujas
y Bellas, Voz Alta’s womans writing circle and my sister
Gissel Nevarez.
I aspire to use my artwork as a creative tool to broaden
the understanding of Mexican culture, its people and its traditions
to non-Latinos and Latinos alike. My intention is to evoke
feelings of a need for family history, inspiring a better
sense of life.
|
