Perez Gutierrez, Richard (Week Eight)

    The presentations we have seen so far have all been great. It's exciting learning about smaller Chicana artists and being able to prop them up with the recognition that they deserve. A presentation I specifically enjoyed was Armando Perez’s presentation on public artist Brenda Barrios, who is also a student at UCLA.

    Barrios uses many themes within Chicanx culture in her art. This shows that her art is intended for Chicanx communities as many of her works depict issues that disproportionately affect the Chicanx community. Of the three works of art that were represented we see the themes of the working class, healthcare, and essential workers. I personally can relate to many of these themes since these are issues that my family has to deal with. Her first piece titled “Medicare for All” depicts a Chicana women service worker cleaning while wearing a mask. During the pandemic many of the jobs seen as useless and undesirable were now viewed as essential workers. Although they were now viewed as essential workers they were still risking their health and lives during an ongoing pandemic that disproportionately affected the working class and people of color. Her second piece titled “Vaccines For the Community” was for a campaign to encourage individuals who are vaccine hesitant in the San Bernardino community. I have members in my family who are hesitant to get the vaccine and works like these can help people change their mind. Her last piece titled “Essential Workers. Pay Them Hazard Pay” depicts essential farm workers working during the many wildfires that occurred throughout the state. Essential workers are still not recognized and respected for their work they have been doing even before the pandemic. Their health and safety was never a priority to many companies and these works of art help begin the dialogue and change for essential workers.