In the book “Carmen Lomas Garza,” Constance Cortez discusses Garza’s work in which she explores past histories that touches on the cultural, yet ancestral/familial side. Carmen Lomas Garza’s Hammerhead Shark on Padre Island (1987) is one of the few artworks that captured my interest in regards to the meaning and story behind this art piece. In the artwork, the environment takes place in a beach sunny setting with a group of people passing by the deceased shark as it was captured by a fisherman. In the image, emotions of curiosity and discomfort are evident as the trail of blood traces back from the water. People form a small crowd near the shark looking quite concerned but seemingly amazed by it. The author discusses how Garza did experience a situation like this when she was just a small child, being awfully intimidated by the shark knowing that they are dangerous. It is further interesting because Cortez highlights how Garza implements life into this painting as these kinds of circumstances happen but this image is also a memory that she encountered as a kid. Besides, Cortez mentions that Garza’s Hammerhead Shark on Padre Island is ideally a great reminder to take chances and risks because without taking initiative, our goals are not achieved. She even highlights that with every dream, there is a risk to take which is deeply vital. The contrast between Garza’s artwork is striking in the sense that there are multiple ways the image can be perceived or remind audiences of. With Garza’s art piece, I see a community coming together where people are bonding and discussing what they see, yet are curious with the fisherman’s capture of the shark, while others seem to be unbothered or not amazed at what they see and perhaps are unaware of the deceased shark laying on the sand. The people within the image, make me think of how these are individuals who are mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers, and so on—they all have a story and purpose.
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