Lepe, Kimberley Week 8

 All the presentations from Tuesday were great, but there was one particular artist that stood out to me the most.  I especially enjoyed Armando Perez's presentation on Brenda Barrios a public artist from UCLA.  I felt that this artist specifically displays Chicana/x culture through her artwork in ways that make a statement to those of her community.  

In her first piece: "Medicare For All", she depicts a woman who is a service worker cleaning.  She has a broom in hand, hair tied back, and a mask to protect her from COVID-19.  Alongside her are the words, "MEDICARE FOR ALL" that makes a big statement, especially when posted as a big mural.  During the pandemic, we viewed the working class as essential workers, and jobs that were sometimes looked down upon, now became heroes working amidst a pandemic.  To me, they were always the heroes.  These are the people who work the extra hours for less, and who do the jobs that no one wants to do.  Without them, I am not so sure how we would be functioning.  Furthermore, these individuals, more times than not, do not receive any benefits, such as healthcare.  This art piece is making a statement-- these people put their lives at risk everyday-- the LEAST we could do is provide them with healthcare when needed. 

In her "Vaccines for the Community," she depicts multiple people of different ethnicities and races to portray a sense of community and bonding-- almost as if to say that we are all in this together.  This piece was designed to help vaccine hesitant communities in San Bernardino.  There are many forms of misinformation, and lack of trust with science, that this is a nice way to spread the message to those who are unsure.  

Finally, "Essential Workers-- Pay them Hazard Pay" depicts the farmworkers who continued to work, even when the fires around them continued to grow.  Yet, not an ounce of hazard pay was awarded to them.  These people risked their lives to keep a job, and SHOULD receive at minimum more than their usual pay. However, as most know, farmworkers health and safety has never been a priority to large companies.  This is why I am so appreciative of Barrios work-- that she uses her art to make a statement for her Chicano/x community.