Robles, Harlow ( Mel Melo Dominguez) Abstract

 2015 Speaking for the Dead, ASU School of Human Evolution & Social Change, Innovation Gallery, Tempe AZ

(https://shesc.asu.edu/museums/innovation-gallery)

In this article, University of Arizona forensic anthropologist, Laura Fulginiti, is helping the decease migrants who crossed the US-Mexican border speak by giving them an identity and figuring out their cause of death. By making an exhibit that is hands on and allowing guest to feel the bones (no actual human bones are used) they get a realistic experience of the investigative process. Adding to the gallery are the works of Visual Artists, Melo Dominguez, Cristina Cardenas, Tavo Barrios, Jose Benavides, Marco Antonio Galaviz, Ruben Galicia, Zarco Guerrero, Martin Moreno, Mary Ann Rodrigues-Veatch, Irma Sanchez, And Annette Sexton-Ruiz. The creative paintings and sculptures of these Chicano/a artists brings political and social awareness to the dangerous risk people take when crossing the border. 

Arizona Daily Star, Neto Portillo Jr. “Neto’s Tucson: A Chicanx artist makes her mark”, November 30, 2019 

(https://tucson.com/news/local/netos-tucson-chicanx-artist-makes-her-mark/article_3dccc673-a8da-5e2a-bcb8-72e50fedaf1a.html)

In this news article, editor of La Estrella de Tucson, Ernesto Portillo writes about a Los Angeles Chicana artist that has made a name for herself in his hometown of Tucson, Arizona. Mel "Melo" Dominguez who was born and raised in East Los Angeles made her way to Tucson after battling health issues and financial needs. Dominguez started her artistic career as a young graffiti artist who would paint mural all over the city of Los Angeles. Being in the streets, Dominguez was able to see the need to help young artist who were struggling with money issues and having a place to call home. In 2007, Dominguez and her wife Melissa Brown-Dominguez moved to Tucson to start fresh. Unfortunately, Tucson wasn't at its peak economically and the world was changing. A new law came out, SB1070, that was a direct attack on the immigrants and Latinos living in Arizona. This motivated Dominguez's political/social views and her artistic hand. She opened her own art gallery in 2018, Galeria Mitotera, which she used to helped up and coming artist to display their artworks and to be a resource for community members.