This weeks presentations were amazing and I really enjoyed learning about so many great artists. However, Mara Higuera’s presentation of the works by Sand One stood out to me. The cartoon caricatures which are colorful vibrant images depicting positive confident unapologetic displays of sexuality and empowerment serve as a reclamation of female identity and ownership of one’s own body and identity while addressing common themes of patriarchy, harassment, gender roles, and subjugation. After Mara’s presentation, I looked further into the artists website and found this quote from Sand One, “ I am a woman but I am far from weak. I get up, put all that hurts behind me, crush my insecurities, and get it done. Struggle is temporary and amazing things will always arise once the storm is over and ambition begins.”. The attitude of positivity and tenacity from this artist, to me, is what really shines through her work.
After viewing many of Sand One’s works and after hearing about the artists experience with an individual in Mexico stealing her trademarked work as their own, it reminded me of the 1950’s artist Margaret Keane. Keane, similarly drew and painted women/girls with exaggerated distinct eyes. However, Keane also had experience with others taking credit for her work, namely Keane’s husband who for many years claimed Margaret Keane’s work as his own. In contrast to Sand One’s triumphant aesthetic, Keane’s style was darkly haunting and her works impressed a sense of sadness that one can assume was a reflection of her life circumstances. So it was interesting to me to compare and contrast the two artists from very different backgrounds and era’s to see how female artists have evolved to claim space and make beauty out of tragedy and challenge. I have seen the artists work in my hometown of Pomona, and now that I know about the artist and her background I am a huge fan and will be following her career!
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