Week 10 Blog Post : Quarter Reflection

    I feel very lucky and grateful to have had the opportunity to take this class. I would've never imagined how much I would come like and understand a lot of the art we covered. I really enjoyed these weekly blog posts as we were able to express ourselves as well as further appreciate, and understand the art/artists. 

    The most astonishing piece of information I learned is in regards to the Virgen de Guadalupe and how the story/history/first-hand-accounts don't check out. I still ask the same question Hillary Clinton asked when she went to Mexico and visited the image: "Who painted it?". Although many people in the Latinx/Chicanx communities would disapprove of what they perceive to be "conspiracy theories", I personally see nothing wrong with asking questions about religious/historical figures. 

On the same topic of the Virgen de Guadalupe, I appreciated and enjoyed seeing this iconic figure on the move (such as in Yolanda M. Lopez's Walking Lupe, 1984) and as a powerful, strong woman (such as in Ester Hernandez's The Virgen of Guadalupe Defending the Rights of the Xicanos, 1975). I was both surprised an intrigued to learn more about these artists who, just as Professor Alma Lopez-Gaspar de Alba, reimagined, redefined and strengthened such an iconic figure. I'd like to thank them for their work, especially it being Women's History Month, for their work as feminists and activists. They truly paved the way for many current artists who have seen the power and creativity of Alma, Ester, and Yolanda. 

A few other artists I really enjoyed learning about are Carmen Lomas Garza and Marion C. Martinez. I also enjoyed one of my peer's artist presentation. I especially liked Destiny Lopez's Body Heat. I think it's wonderful seeing how bigger bodies are being appreciated in art and in society. 

Overall, I enjoyed learning about new artists, their stories, and the inspiration behind their artwork.