Monday, March 8, 2021

2021, Ayala, Jesus Reflection response

 Before taking this class I didn't know what to expect, but I was curious about what it would portray. I have to say I got more than what I expected. In the beginning, I thought maybe we would look at fine art and talk about the artist behind it. I'm not too familiar with art or artists of any genre, but thanks to this class now I know much more than what I did. I was blown away as I began to learn about why there haven't been any great female artists. The reason behind it quite frankly to me is kind of silly and one-sided because the art that I saw in this course produced by Chicana artists is super. I was excited to learn how many of these artists got their start because of the social-political issues that have hunted my people for generations. It is heartwarming to know that the Chicano movement of the 60s, did and continues to do so much for my people. Because of activism towards civil rights, much has changed and more opportunities have arisen for the Chicano community. I really enjoyed the story and art of Yolanda Lopez and Carmen Lomas Garza. I loved Whos the Illegal Alien Pilgrim by Yolanda Lopez because of the message behind it and the boldness of the artist. To do the things she has done with her art takes courage because of the backlash behind it. It just shows that our women are just as bold and strong as the male figure of the Chicano community. When I first saw Carmen Lomas Garza's art I was instantly blown away. I mean the colors and perfection of it made me appreciated it very much. I automatically thought to myself it could be part of a storybook of some sort because it was just so good. When I learned it has been in children's books I automatically told myself this artist is truly gifted. Her art of real-life events that she lived as a child just gives her work greater meaning. The icing on the cake for me was when I learned she has been honored by having a school named after her. I mean come on it doesn't get any better than that. A Female Chicana making it mainstream like that, well, that is truly special. I am grateful I took this course and I'm considering declaring a minor in Chicano Studies because I just want to learn more about my people and what the future looks like for us. Thank you professor for this course. 

  

Carmen Lomas Garza, Sandia/Watermelon, 1986.

I picked this art because I connected it. As a kid, I remember eating Sandia with my family on hot summer days to cool down a bit. It just brought back memories of my childhood. 



2 comments:

  1. Hi Jesus,
    I also really enjoyed Yolando Lopez's art and Carmen Lomas Garza's art. I did not know a school was named after Carmen Lomas Garza, that really is amazing. I also am grateful we were assigned both those books because that is not literature I would have read otherwise.

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  2. Hello Jesus,

    I really enjoyed reading your reflection post and seeing how fruitful art, and specifically Chicana and Latina art covered in this class, was for you. Based on your post and your mentioning of the 60s Chicano Movement, I started thinking about the Delano Grapes Strikes and then farm workers rights and then lead me to suggesting an artist who's in conversation with these particular issues. His name is Narsiso Martinez and I think you might find interest in his work!

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