Calderon, Juliana (Week 10: Paloma Montoya)

            This quarter I had the opportunity to learn about many new artists. The artist that stood out to me from the ones we saw during presentations was Paloma Montoya. She attempts to include symbolism in her work. She focuses on implementing feminism and sexuality into her pieces. For instance, in the image “Look at Me” it is an image of a Chola style woman on a bike. This contest in which she submitted this work, was intended to depict the representation of Boss Lady. She included this woman donned in Chola attire on a bike. The image shows that this is what power or respect is in her community. I liked this because oftentimes people in our communities are overlooked. Most don’t think of marginalized groups of people, especially women, as the Boss type or carrying any authority. But here, Montoya accentuates the power women yield. It is not a specific type of woman, it is any woman. Any woman who holds confidence in whatever she does, exemplifies the idea of Boss Lady. The image helps to convey the concept of Latinas/Chicanas being the boss type in whatever they set their focus on. I particularly enjoyed the drawing of someone who people in our community can identify with. The woman is dressed in her athletic wear and Nike Cortez shoes that resonate with many young women. It is something that many can give attention to because to them it is a representation of something they understand.

            Another image was titled, “I’ve Lost my Head Before 1”, and it was that of a wolf. The wolf represented herself and the struggle of her life coming to a head. The image shows that the wolf was encroaching upon her. The wolf is something that is usually viewed as a danger and threat. But here, by presenting it on canvas, she depicts the fear she no longer has. The wolf, or the struggles in her life, are no longer impediments. She has taken hold of them all and now has the control. I liked the color contrast she uses. The purple is such a dark color that helps in depicting the wolf as something dark and volatile. Additionally, the background highlights the overcoming of such a dark creature. Overall, by being able to draw this, she shows that she has overtaken this obstacle and is no longer being consumed by it.