Chicanas and printmaking

In the text titled Where are the Xicana Printmakers? by Holly Barnet Sanchez the discussion of how printmaking was an empowering tool for Chicanos and the dynamics in which it played out are central. Printmaking in the 70's had a huge impact in the Xicano movement as it was often art that brought political and social ideas to light. Printmaking was a way to get an important and often empowering message to Chicano youth about the importance and relevance of their struggle. Chicanas were not as visible in the art realm so printmaking was a way for these women to not only get their creative minds at play but a way for them to connect and build with community. It was about social change.

A powerful print that caught my attention was Diane Gamboa's art piece on the left. Gamboa has a very interesting and unique art style. Her figures are almost cubic and she uses very bright colors while also including an insane amount of different perspectives and patterns and detail in her art. This image is particularly interesting to me because I interpret it as art that is attempting to make a social commentary on heteronormative ideas of gender and sexuality. I interpret this through the ambiguity of gender in the character she has painted and in the fact that the figure is also naked and covered in tattoos while wearing a ballerina dress. It appears that there is always a fluidity of gender characteristics in her characters which is something I really appreciate.