My art practice explores the narrative of human experience in the borderlands. In my work, I strive to create representation of my community who is often overlooked by society at large. The compositions I create are multifaceted. They provide a visual vocabulary that challenges topics of stereotypes, societal and gender norms, class, politics, and culture. My work is fundamentally based in collage, with an emphasis on materials. I use an array of media, spanning from handmade paper to metal and wood, to found objects with the purpose of creating layers of meaning. The present paper-making techniques I am exploring are inspired by the Otomi peoples of Central Mexico. I mix their styles with natural and man made materials that I find locally to create a Mexican American hybrid of the paper, like myself. These sheets of paper are cut free hand to be layered and create images that describe the narrative of our generations.

The current series I am working on is called “Muebles,” a border term for cars. It is derived from the concept of “Mano de Obra,” or simply said, Labor. I am experimenting with basic materials used by everyday working people, to show their importance in our communities, and to tell their stories. The process is intuitive, I look at the materials, several types of wood and metal, aesthetically. I create figurative collages of these working-class automobiles to take the viewer to a place where they can ponder on the story behind the car; “Who drives it? Where are they going? What do they do?” and next time, when they are sitting in traffic, they can notice and appreciate the people who keep the wheels turning.