Blog Post 10

I don’t think I can pick just one thing or concept that resonated with me this quarter. What did stick with me as I continue my studies in this minor is exploring this constant connection between the Chicano/a/x movement and how art plays a role within it. I never really thought about how art heavily intertwines with the movement; in fact, I can’t imagine the movement without it. Art is important because it often says what words can’t. I know I have personally seen some images during this class where I don’t even have to know why the artist included what they did, it’s just something that resonates with my very own experience. For example, an artist we talked about was Carmen Lomas Garza; a lot of her work deeply resonated with my upbringing and experience as a chicana. I really enjoyed her loteria pieces and her overall style; narrative. I also really enjoyed her Curandera pieces because it brings me back to my earlier childhood. I remember going into a strange woman’s house and my mom being cleansed similarly to what is depicted in the image; I could feel myself in that room. Overall, I really enjoyed reading about her works. I also really enjoyed the wikipedia project we did. I feel like I learned so much about my artist. In fact I feel inspired by Gabriela Ruiz in that she never really had a formal education, she kind of just did what she was passionate about. Coming from a similar background, there’s always this pressure to do what is socially acceptable and aim for what is considered a “good” career, even if it means putting your own passions aside. What she has done is not easy to do, and in general, I have come to not only admire her work, but her as a person.