Statement
What does it mean to belong to a place when the notion of home becomes a constant, elusive journey into the unknown?
As an artist, I am compelled by the global movement of displaced people, those whose lives are defined not by borders, but by a state of transitory permanence. My work seeks to illuminate the human narratives often buried beneath statistics, revealing the fragile and surreal experience of those navigating the liminal space between cultures—a place that feels both transient and uncannily permanent. Through my art, I invite viewers to witness these journeys intimately, not as abstract figures, but as individuals whose lives echo far beyond the numbers.
Rooted in my own experiences and the rich, complex dynamics of my multicultural family—spanning both Mexico and Cuba—I find inspiration in the diasporic stories that surround me. These narratives of migration, adaptation, and resilience are deeply personal, yet they also resonate with broader collective histories. This exploration of culture leads me to venture into creating my own version of folklore, a summation of my memories and lived experiences. Through this personalized folklore, I reimagine the cultural identities of displaced individuals, constructing a symbolic landscape where the past and present intermingle, where myth and memory intertwine.
My practice delves into the continual displacement from country to country, where identities fracture and individuals find themselves inhabiting two worlds, yet fully belonging to neither. Even after reaching their destination, their journey never ceases—it becomes an endless cycle, often accompanied by a lingering instability. From the perspective of the newcomer, the world is rendered into an unpredictable and unfamiliar landscape, where every step into this new terrain can be as perilous as it is transformative. Whether by foot, boat, or plane, these modes of travel mark the fine line between survival and oblivion. Memories, carried like personal artifacts, serve as the only remnants of a former life, providing a tenuous link to a lost sense of belonging.
In my work, I explore the tension between displacement and belonging through figurative subjects placed within subversive, often surreal environments. By rendering these figures as either imposing or integrating into their landscapes, I seek to disrupt the viewer’s preconceived notions of cultural identity and behavior. The act of painting, direct and visceral, allows me to channel the emotional intensity of the displaced experience, evoking the grandeur and melancholy of the Romantic landscape tradition. Through the incorporation of printmaking and found objects, I construct immersive installations that envelop the viewer, creating a disorienting yet familiar space, much like the experience of migration itself. The historical resonance of printmaking, especially its political and satirical power in Latin American history, underscores my intent to provoke reflection and dialogue.