Carmen Lomas-Garza

Carmen Lomas-Garza’s art is that of the community. Her childhood is characterized by being raised in segregated southern Texas contributing to her involvement in the Chicano movement. Her painting and installations create a message to its viewer about the Chicano culture. The common take away from many of her work is how regardless of discrimination, prejudices, and conflicts, the Chicano movement prevails and is still strong. Her art is detailed and represents cultural knowledge. Carmen Lomas-Garza’s brings about many memories for Chicanos, bringing back recollections of their childhood and family values. She uses her own identity and culture in her artwork, creating a sense of community for anyone who looks at it. 

Her painting Burning of the Codices (2002), is no exception. The piece draws the viewer in to the detailed characters and what they are doing. By using only the color blue on white, the details are prominent. The piece includes the destruction through burning of culture by the Catholic Spanish. The work speaks to anyone who has been negatively effected by colonization, brings people with alike experiences closer. Her work portrays situations that make the Mexican American community closer.