America’s Essential Workers

America’s Essential Workers, Linoleum Print. 2020. 9.25”x12”

Trabajadora Esencial, Linoleum Print. 2020. 13”x18”

Pizcando Cherries, 2023. Linoleum print with watercolor.

Trascendencia, 2021, 13.5”x19.5” Gouache on paper

Vuelos Efímeros, Reduction woodblock print with embossing, 11”x15” 2020

Persistencia, Linoleum bock print with watercolor, 2021. 22”x30.”

Trabajador Esencial, 2021, Linoleum block Print, 11”x17”

Cultivando el Valle de Yakima, 2021, Linoleum Block Print with Gouache, 16”x24”

Pizcando Cerezas, 2021, Linoleum block print with Gouache paint, 14”x23”

America’s Essential Workers 2020

While some of us have the luxury to work from home and self-isolate, this is not case for our nation’s farmworkers, who harvest our food and keep our shelves stocked with fresh produce. This piece was created with our nation’s essential workers in mind. 

These workers have always played a vital role in our country and now more than ever, eyes need to be opened, ears need to listen and their voices need to be heard- conversations need to get started about their safety and wellbeing.

This piece was created in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

2021

My artwork has initially revolved around the many diasporas that compose my Mexican American identity. Yet, as the daughter of two immigrant parents from Mexico, my artistic creation is not merely centered on my own realities, but also focused on articulating the livelihoods of those who oftentimes go unheard and unseen. 

Over the past couple of years, my artistic creations have conceptually, ethically, and aesthetically focused on illustrating different perspectives of work conducted by Mexican migrant farmworkers--whose arduous labor and work pride supports the thriving agricultural industry of Central Washington. The purpose of my art is to shed light on a demographic of people whose hard work often goes under-recognized and underappreciated. I want my prints not only to unveil narratives of this diaspora in the valley, but also spark conversations about the realities of the labor carried out by America’s essential workers, as well as highlight their value and contribution to this region and our nation’s overall economy. To this end, I am inviting reflection not only on the relation between art and politics, but in the very configuration of urban and rural America, of social justice and the structural inequalities that pervade us, as well as the value of diversity (both economically and socially). 

Perspectiva Personal

Mi obra artística ha estado siempre vinculada a las diversas diásporas que constituyen mi identidad Mexicoamericana. Al ser la hija de padre y madre migrantes, mi creación estética no solo representa mis realidades personales, sino que también busca ilustrar las narrativas de aquellos que como mis progenitores, han sido desdibujados en su desarraigo. 

En los últimos tres años, mis creaciones artísticas se han centrado conceptual, ética y estéticamente en ilustrar diferentes perspectivas del trabajo realizado por los trabajadores agrícolas migrantes mexicanos, cuyo arduo trabajo y orgullo laboral apoyan la próspera industria agrícola del centro Centro de Washington. La industria agrícola de esta región se sostiene gracias al arduo empeño de estos dedicados trabajadores. La intención de estos grabados e impresiones es la de poner en relieve (metafórica y literalmente) un sector fundamental de nuestras comunidades cuyo trabajo y existencia pasan comúnmente desapercibidos y sin mayor reconocimiento. Espero que estas piezas no sólo develan algunas de las narrativas y existencias de las diásporas que pueblan este valle, sino que también generen puntos de conversación acerca del trabajo llevado a cabo por estos trabajadores esenciales de Estados Unidos, a fin de elevar el valor de sus múltiples contribuciones a esta región y a nuestra economía. Es por esto que, invito a reflexionar no solo sobre la relación entre arte y política, sino en la propia configuración de la América urbana y rural, de la justicia social y las desigualdades estructurales que nos impregnan, así como del valor de la diversidad (tanto económica como socialmente).

Mariposas Monarcas-Trascendencia

Each year, millions of Monarch butterflies embark on a multi-generational journey migrating from Mexico to Canada and back—known as a super generation, some will travel an unimaginable distance of 3,000 miles across North America! Their presence in our region greatly contributes to the bounty of our valley—pollinating the hops, fruit and produce that make our agricultural sector.

As the daughter of immigrant parents, I have long admired the Monarch’s strength, determination, and will to traverse mountains and terrains, despite the harsh and uncertain living conditions. Similarly, my parents, as well as millions of other people in this nation have migrated, leaving their homelands in search of a better quality of life. Migration, for both Monarch and people, represents an act of survival; unlike Monarchs however, many people end up hiding their beautiful wings, living in fear, and oftentimes working in laborious jobs that we now refer to as “essential.”

Yakima (WA) is a bountiful and abundant valley, where 50% of Yakima’s population identifies as Latinx/Hispanic, and agricultural jobs account for more than a quarter of the region's economy—making it an attractive destination for many of these migrant workers. Without the help of these essential workers, this region’s land will not be tended to, cared for nor harvested.

-It is my hope that through my art practice, conversations can get started about redefining, and humanizing this global phenomenon of migration. I believe that if we share our stories, our ancestors' stories as well as our histories, we realize that many of us share similar backgrounds, struggles and even aspirations and achievements. We do not get to decide where we want to be born or live, and in which generation, but one thing I know for certain is that we can choose to use our voices, our craft and our to talents to advocate, empower, and spark dialogue about the safety, security and future well being of these migrant mariposas.

Special thanks to: all the farmworkers who cultivate la tierra and to Cornerstone Ranches, Kershaw Fruit, Washington Fruit and Yakima Chief Hops.