Laguna College of Art + Design

In elementary school, I recall sitting outside on an overcast day on the playground, observing the sheet of gray that blanketed the sky. Small pockets of light periodically pierced through the transient clouds, transforming the once moody landscape into a decoupage of rich values. Overcast days are a metaphor for the ebb and flow of life and the silver linings I pull from in my artwork.

My black and white charcoal drawings weave together the duality I’ve experienced along my healing and growth journey and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Where I have experienced immense sadness in my life, I have also experienced beauty and compassion. The notion of duality seeps into my artwork, rearing its head as a consistent reminder to seek balance within myself. Anthropomorphic animals, plants, and human figures dance together on the wood panels to reveal my adoration of classic literature and fables. Through them, I unpack the underpinnings of my Mexican-Iranian identity that I once ignored. To unify my mixed culture and excavate my sense of self from years of purposeful neglect, I use my artwork as a melting pot, mixing the fragments of my past into an incalculable but illuminating brew.

The three-dimensional protrusions from my drawings mirror my desire to gain confidence in taking up space, literally and figuratively. Using my art to practice taking up space encourages me to inquire more about my Mexican-Iranian identity, find my voice, and reject the confines of assimilation. I also address the wealth of knowledge, culture, and practices that my ancestors before me have carried with them over the generations. My thesis is entitled Woven Together, which refers to the importance of community and friendship as I regain my footing in an ever-changing world.