Calderon, Juliana: Abstract on Ruth Leonela Buentello

“Ruth Leonela Buentello.” Joan Mitchell Foundation, www.joanmitchellfoundation.org/ruth-leonela-buentello.

In              In this artwork publication, it is explained that the artist and philanthropist, Joan Mitchell, created the Joan Mitchell Foundation with the intent to give notoriety to up and coming artists. One of these artists who was given a spotlight through the foundation was Ruth Leonela Buentello. According to the foundation page, Ruth Leonela Buentello graduated from the University of Chicago with an Art’s degree and has presented some of her work in local art exhibits. The showcasing of her artwork inspired her own desire to create her own foundation called Mas Rudas, with the intent to focus on Chicana perspectives. Like the Joan Mitchell Foundation, Ruth aims to give voice to the often overlooked individuals through her artwork.

Buentello, Ruth Leonela, et al. “ARTISTS’ STATEMENT: Más Rudas: To Be Tough, to Be Defiant, and Without Apology.” Chicana/Latina Studies, vol. 11, no. 2, Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social (MALCS), 2012, pp. 8–13, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23345339.

                 In this journal article, the Chicana artists and authors, Ruth Leonela Buentello, Sara Castillo, Kristen Gamez, and Mari Hernandez, describe what the organization Mas Rudas is and its purpose. The authors express that the name derived from the idea of distinguishing themselves as women who were noncompliant with the typical role women had been forced to accept. The conditions of being both women and part of the Chicano group, created the conditions for them to design art that illustrated their experiences as both. Like the women before them who were their inspiration, these women look forward to telling the stories of their cultures.

“Entre Fronteras Memory Migration Maps - Getcreativesanantonio.com: The Cultural Calendar for the City of San Antonio, Texas.” Getcreativesanantonio.com, events.getcreativesanantonio.com/public-art/entre-fronteras-memory-migration-maps/.

                    In this publication, the City of San Antonio Department of Arts and Culture, described the artpiece of Ruth Leonela Buentello. The specific entry in the spotlight was titled, Entre Fronteras. According to the publication, the art depicts the struggle that Latinx families endure while immigrating to new lands. The existence of such illustration provides audiences the visual of Buentello’s backstory and her family’s journey. Through this art, Buentello aims to highlight the traumatic tale she shares with so many south Texans. In presenting the three generations of women, she asserts the progress made through each generation of the women after arriving in the United States.