TERE RODRÍGUEZ

I am a professional photographer. I specialize in event photography, but my passion is for journalism/cultural photography. And in times like now, I believe we need to see more of what is happening in the real world. So I have been attending peaceful marches and protests. Trying to get to the bottom of what la gente is asking for. And the response is always the same; “We want justice, we want to stop family separation, but above all, we want to be treated with respect and without prejudice from the white man”

KEVIN DALY

My name is Kevin Daly (Keb) and I've been active as a local artist for several years. My mother immigrated to the US from Mexico as a teenager. I have strong feeling about the value of immigration and it is reflected in some of my art. I'm submitting two pieces for your consideration.  

MARIA DIAZ

Born in Guatemala in 1973, for nearly two decades, Guatemala native and international performance artist Maria Adela Diaz has used her body and various media to explore the complex essence and sublimity of a woman’s nature. Diaz’s work raises objections to patriarchal values, political deception and discriminatory ideology, employing video and installation to seduce and provoke the observer within unexpected, everyday contexts. The artist has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions in venues around the world. Diaz currently resides in Los Angeles, where she works as an art director.

www.mariadeladiaz.com Instagram: @maria_adela_diaz @dmariaadela

Facebook @mariadeladiazart

Gricelda Alva B

I grew up part of my life in a small town of Guerrero Mexico, and was raised in California. It is important that my artwork is reflective of the immigrant experience and the contributions that immigrants contribute to a more diverse, inclusive culture, economy and country. My creativity and artwork are influenced by my spiritual connection to nature, Buddhism and interest in transpersonal psychology and dreams. My artwork could be best described as a combination of representational art and sometimes shifting more into surrealism and a bit of inner child playfulness. 

https://portfolium.com/entry/artwork-completed-during-artist-in-residence-nm 

Adan Crater, Polanisia dodecandra (Redwhisker clammyweed)

15x11 inches, 9/21/2019, Watercolor

Image Summary:

When I set foot on Adan Crater, early afternoon, I could feel the scorching heat of the black lava rocks travel through my hiking boots. I was aware of my privilege hiking the desert with the identity of an artist and as a visitor, and not the identity of an undocumented immigrant risking my life in the middle of the desert trying to find my way to a new “home”. As one of the Park Rangers and I hiked the area and I took photographs, I wonder what types of animals or plants could inhibit this arid land and heat. My sense of curiosity and wonder were very alive. When I asked about the plant Polanisia dodecandra redwhisker clammyweed and was told this plant was known as "clammyweed," I felt that I needed to capture its beauty and resilience to thrive in such arid conditions. This plant reminded me of the resilient spirit of Native American people who inhibited this borderland and managed to make it home. In this particular crater, the remains of a ground Shasta sloth were found dating back to the ice age.

LAGRIMAS NEGRAS....

(A la Mujer que Lucha)

Videoclip courtesy of Jorge Chausse

Link to video: A la Mujer que Lucha

Denise Vazquez

Doris S Morgan Rueda

I am a historian by training, and an artist by experimentation. I began working with acrylics 10 years ago and primarily used painting as my artistic medium as a way to balance the stress from my historical scholarship. However, historical work began to use digital technology more as a tool of analysis and presentation. It opened up a way to explore the topics arising in my research, such as race, inequality, Latinx identity, and childhood in San Diego. Additionally, art became a way for me to explore identity in myself growing up as a biracial Colombian American in southern California.

“The Color of Shame (and Justice)”

Medium: Digital Mixed Media Collage

Year: 2020

“The Color of Shame (and Justice)” is a digital collage that uses deconstructed pulp fiction covers and historical images to create visual representations of borderland realities and memories. The physical impact on youth, communities, and the environment are centered. I combined pulp fiction art and modern images of the militarized U.S.-Mexico border to explore interconnections of modernity and history. Contrast and absurdity expose historical realities and inspire activism.

Karina Velasco

She is a local artist in San Diego, CA.  Karina loves painting mujeres.  She enjoys painting the cuteness and innocence of a young girl as much as the beauty and experiences of women. Her inspiration comes from personal experience, her surroundings, su gente and from her culture and its traditions. 

Karina’s work is influenced by Latin American art and Pop-Surrealism.  Her paintings are unique, colorful and sometimes gloomy. Karina works with acrylic paint most of the time but also enjoys playing with graphite, color pencils, markers and watercolors.

Instagram: @vk.artist www.facebook.com/karivelascoART

"Families Belong Together Series"

I am currently working on this series. My goal for this series is to bring awareness to immigrant families separation.  The main focus will be on innocent children put behind cages in detention centers.

Ill Arabe

Link to videos: El Imperio
Hermanas Caudillo-Karlo

Eric Magaña

Eric Magaña is a Chicano artist from Los Angeles, California (b. 1994). He is deeply connected to his roots and family which is the apparatus of his work. Because of his own experiences Magaña’s work investigates culture, labor, placement/ displacement, and identity. He works with photography, performance, video, family archive, and installation. And holds an AA-T in Studio Art from Cerritos College (2018) and is currently earning his BFA in Photography at the Photo Arts Conservatory at New York Film Academy (Los Angeles Campus).

Instagram @ericmmagana

Title: Reconociendo A Martín Y La Mora, #2

Medium: Photography

Year: 2019

Carlos Encinas

Carlos’ father was born in Sonora in 1921 and immigrated to southern Arizona in 1923. His mother was born in Tucson. Carlos’ maternal grandmother was born in Sonora and immigrated to the USA in 1914. Carlos’ paternal grandfather's side of the family has lived in Tucson since the mid 19th century.  Carlos is a retired educator and lifelong artist.  He is proficient in various mediums.  He created public sculptures and murals in Tucson.  He produced published illustrations and a picture book.  He exhibited work in various group and solo shows in Tucson, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Denver over the years.  He has upcoming solo and group shows scheduled in Phoenix and Tucson for 2021 (Covid delayed).

TITLE: CLEANING LADY

ACRYLICS ON WOOD

42X32 inches, 2019

Yaxara Sandoval

The photograph was captured while I was waiting to cross the U.S/Mexican border, which inspired the poem. The poem is based on a culture shock experience on both sides of the border. The altar in the photograph represents sacrifices, hopes, and dreams, and the unexplained. The border separates me from my family. It is my fear and anxiety. I understand why people seek a better life in the U.S but the question is, do you?

Poem: Neither Here nor There (October 2020)

Photograph: Tecate, Baja California (October 2020) 

Yaxara’s Blog https://www.blogger.com/profile/13732868775664454594

Neither Here nor There

By Yaxara Sandoval

The land of the free — https://www.blogger.com/profile/13732868775664454594

J D TREJO MAYA

He is a remnant of the Nahuatlacah oral tradition a tonalpouhque mexica, a commoner from the lowlands from a time and place that no longer exists.  Born in Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico, where he spent his childhood in the small rural pueblo of Tarimoró and from where he immigrated in 1988.  His inspirations include Netzahualcoyotl, Humberto Ak’abal, Ray A. Young Bear, James Welch and Juan Rulfo.  Published in various journals/sites in the UK, US, Spain, India, Australia, Argentina, Germany and Venezuela.  Pushcart Prize nominee in 2015; awarded Tercer Premio from El Centro Canario Estudios Caribeños – El Atlántico – en el Certamen Internacional de Poesía “La calle que tú me das” 2016.  New Rivers Press Many Voices Project Finalist 2018 and 2020 Jack Straw Writers Program Fellow.  While in ceremony with Chololo medicine men in the Tule River Reservation he dreamt this written prophecy…