Crystal Galindo (1983 – present) is a visual artist whose paintings are known for celebrating Chicanas and indigenous communities. Her paintings give a strong sense of pride in being part of the Chicanx community and she is recognized for having bright colors, being body inclusive, specializing in portraits, as well as venturing into painting sacred icons like Selena.
Biography
Crystal Galindo was born and raised in Tulare County and is now living in the San Francisco Bay area. Growing up she developed a passion for art, she began making art with pens and colored pencils but upon entering community college she learned to use charcoal, watercolor, and oil paints. The decision to pursue the arts came after watching her parents give up theirs to provide for her and her siblings. Galindo graduated from the College of the Sequoias in 2009 and then pursued a double major in painting and Chicano Studies at the Sonoma State University where she graduated in 2013.
Art (or Notable Works or Selected Works. Also Exhibitions, Projects, Collections)
Plantitas (2021)
This series features portraits of women of color with floral elements to represent the energy of mother nature and how these women are goddesses too with their unique ethnic features.
Dulceria (2016)
In “Dulceria”, Galindo addresses the issue of society making women feel guilty for indulging in things like sweets and even physical pleasure. Overall, Galindo wants her viewers to know they should not feel guilty for indulging in anything that makes them feel good despite any taboo in the community and society.
Multifacetica (2013)
In the series “Multifacetica” Galindo paints women who represent power, strength, and pride in their cultural roots. Galindo features different shapes, symbols, and sacred symbols alongside the different women to inspire us to share our stories and break away from white supremacy by embracing our ethnic roots and how we are a physical representation of our ancestor’s resilience.
References
Calderón, Barbara. “Meet Crystal Galindo, the Painter Centering Chicanas, Chingonas, and Cholas.” Remezcla, Remezcla, 4 May 2016, remezcla.com/features/culture/crystal-galindo-painter-chicanas/.
Abstract:
In this interview done by the media company Remezcla, we learn about Galindos' take on selfies and how they are an act of resistance by combating the idea of only Eurocentric ideals being beautiful. Galindos' work exhibits body positivity and celebrates women who challenge beauty ideals, which is why she features Chicanas, Chingonas, and Cholas who typically are not represented in media nor art.
Galindo, Crystal. "Crystal Galindo." Diálogo, vol. 20 no. 2, 2017, p. 32-166. Project MUSE, doi:10.1353/dlg.2017.0044.
Abstract:
In this article published by the University of Texas Press, Project Muse, we see a few of Crystal Galindo's art pieces and learn more about her background. Galindo was born in Tulare, California, and made the decision to pursue the arts after watching her parents give up theirs to provide for her and her siblings. She began making art with pens and colored pencils but upon entering community college she learned to use charcoal, watercolor, and oil paints. Her artwork challenges white supremacy, Eurocentric beauty standards, and the male-dominated art world by showcasing women of different sizes and races.
ARTnews, The Editors of. “'Crystal Galindo' at Studio Grand, Oakland.” ARTnews.com, ARTnews.com, 18 Nov. 2019, www.artnews.com/art-news/news/crystal-galindo-at-studio-grand-3988/.
Abstract:
On the website ArtNews, we learn more about the exhibition put together by Studio Grand in Oakland. In this exhibition Crystal Galindo's work "Fotos y Recuerdos" was showcased, this collection of paintings features indigenous and Chicanx elements to depict the diversity behind these resilient Chicana women. On specific piece featured is "I'm not your Puppet", this acrylic and colored pencil piece shows a fierce woman with Chola style.
Further reading
https://prismreports.org/2021/06/01/art-can-be-a-powerful-means-to-challenge-white-beauty-standards/
This article has more details about Crystal Galindo’s work and how her art celebrates Chicanas by challenging the Eurocentric beauty standard as well as explores topics hushed upon in the Chicano community such as mental health.
External links
This is Crystal Galindo’s personal website where she shares more about what her work focuses on, exhibits a galleria of her work, flyers of her previous exhibitions, and has her contact information for those who may be interested in commissioning a painting from her.
https://www.pbs.org/video/byyou-art-culture-crystal-galindo-art-exhibit/
This is a PBS mini-documentary on Crystal Galindo’s solo art show “Multifacetica: Un Cambio De Paradigma” which was on display at the College of Sequoias Art gallery throughout February 27, 2014, in Visalia California where she celebrates Chicanas through self-portrait paintings.
https://www.taftcollege.edu/echo-online/blog/2017/04/03/crystal-galindo-art-of-self-portrait/
Taft College newsletter provides an interview with Crystal Galindo where we learn about Galindo’s use of social media as a platform for her artworks which she hopes inspires others to embrace who they are and finally see representation Galindo mentions was missing when she was growing up. Through her artwork, Galindo builds up not only her won confidence but that of the Chicana community.
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