Carmen Lomas Garza

Carmen Lomas Garza is a Chicana artist who grew up in South Texas. Her artwork ranges from paintings, to installations, to children's books and much more. Ultimately, Garza aims to provoke thought and create art that resonates culturally with Mexican-Americans. Carmen Lomas Garza by Constance Cortez explores Garza's life and work, and the meaning behind it all. I think Garza's work is particularly appealing because a lot of it deals with the normalcy of Mexican-American culture. She depicts daily life in a Mexican-American household. This is important, as it exposes the culture to the media and society, promoting the coexistence of multiple different cultures. 

The image that particularly stood out to me was Peace (1967), a linoleum block print. Depicted in the print are three figures, two of which are similarly reaching for a dove and one is on the ground, portraying sorrow or tiredness. Cortez comments on the piece and notes the recognition of a struggle for peace, which is expressed through the character on the ground. Nevertheless, there is a relentlessness present through the two figures reaching for the dove, to achieve peace. Stylistically, the artwork is also significant in that it uses a lot of negative space and boldness. As a fan of art surrounding negative space, I was immediately interested in this print. The design Garza exhibits is enticing and unique to the majority of her colorful and realistic works. I was attracted to Peace because of the flow of all of the figures; the curvature of everything presented, and lack of rigidness, in the image creates a sense of calmness. I believe the cohesiveness of the print is crucial as it parallels the necessity for unity in order to achieve peace.