Yolanda M. Lopez

Yolanda M. Lopez is a feminist and artist who really made her mark in the Mexican-American community. What I relate to her the most, and what I want to focus on, is her appreciation for and ability to stand up for women and people of color. She often challenged the stereotypes that Mexican-Americans faced. Her activism transpired through her art, and she changed a lot of lives because of it. Some of her frustration with how women are seen came from her own family and the media. Her determination for making art that depicts women, as ‘ordinary’ women, is something to be admired.

The image that I want to talk about is Eclipse (1981), which can be seen on page 82. This piece represents the ‘hybridity and multiplicity’ of Mexican-American women, and how they cannot be boxed into a certain ‘type.’ The two women that she uses in this piece are from a previous artwork she did. I personally think she did this because they are two different Chicanas, but Chicanas nonetheless, which adds to the point of the piece. The two-bright pink virgencitas are symbolic with the oppression of women in the catholic church. When she is covered in her robe, she is constrained and unable to move, which represents the restraint that women are taught to have. In the falling image, she is not wearing her gown, instead, it is transparent. I think this represents the liberation of women. They don't restrained anymore, and they are free to do what they want. Thoughts?