Madrigal, Stephanie (Week 9)

 The artist I chose to write about this week is Sand One presented by Mara Higuera. Mara talked about the interview sand one had with perolike where she talked about how she grew up with a single mother and began making her art in east Los Angeles. She felt like there was a backlash from the Chicanx community especially since she did not attend college and is self-taught she began to feel a lack of respect. Sand one's art caters to single mothers, strippers, and in general women who go through hardships. Sand one has faced many tribulations throughout her career including racism and classism as a Chicana artist. It was interesting to find out how every doll has a story behind them because they are representations of women that she has met. She even gives the dolls a horoscope sign, for example, her work Doll represents girls that have daddy issues, is 22 years old, and her horoscope sign is a Capricorn. It is clear that for Sand one, it is not just about creating the art to generate profits but rather putting in the thought and creating a story for each of her pieces. Another art piece discussed by Mara includes a teddy bear and Sand one mentioned she includes bears because she likes to think that boys are toys. Sand one finds it important for her art to convey the message to her audience that it is important for women to focus on themselves and that women are in control of themselves and their sexuality. The Carlsbad baby mural shows the importance of giving back to the community to Sand one and how she likes to connect with her supporters because while she was completing the work she held conversations with everyone who stopped by. It was upsetting to learn about how she faced theft of her art because they took advantage that she is a first-generation artist and did not know much about how to take legal action.  But with the help of fans, one fan helped her locate her work, and another fan of hers who is a lawyer helped her legally get her art back. It is inspiring to see a first-generation Chicana artist get to have such a big platform and still want to give back to the community and inspire so many women through her art.  I am looking forward to seeing one of her murals in person.