Week 8 Yreina Cervantez

The artist that created a memorable impression from this week’s class presentations is Yreina Cervantez. She is a Chicana artist that most known for her mural titled, La Ofrenda, which focuses on Chicana leadership. On further research into her work I was excited to find a triptych of hers that she titles, Nepantla, which is a Nahuatl word that describes the concept of being in state of in-between. Cervantez uses this triptych to create a personal space that allows the viewer into the consciousness of a Chicana artist. Throughout the triptych Cervantez incorporates the artist ability to create depth through perspective techniques. As if to reinforce to the viewer that this is her point of view her personal approach to interpreting an identity that exists in two very distinct cultures.  In addition Cervantes transposes indigenous symbols onto her self-portrait. She dons these symbols as if to make up for what may has been disregarded in recent history. She wears it as a mark of belonging to a forgotten past so often devalued by western society.

This piece speaks of the personal space that is difficult to communicate with others, yet she does just that as she showcases what she deems important to her as being of two world perspectives.  I really appreciate this triptych as it demonstrates that an identity does not always come together nicely, that there exist aspects of our lives that make it hard for us to truly embrace every bit of our learned experiences. Yet, in this personal transcendent space that we can call Nepantla we can and do coexist with our clashing ideologies.