2023
Harmonizing Texas: Unifying Identity, Narratives, and Representation in Latinx Art
Soy de Tejas: A Statewide Survey of Latinx Art
Describing and defining my identity has been an evolving journey, reflecting on and considering its dynamic nature. A first-generation Texan, I spent a brief period in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico, before returning by the age of three. My initial understanding of self was rooted in the deep Mexican pride my parents, Ricardo and Teodora Luna, instilled in me. It became more complex as I began elementary school, revealing that I was not just Mexican but Mexican American, a realization that shifted my self-perception. Observing my parents fill forms with checkboxes that labeled me white or Hispanic, this terminology further complicated and confused my sense of belonging. Later, the popularity of the term "Latino" encompassed a broader cumulative connection among individuals from Latin American countries. The journey of self-discovery continued outside of the classroom, leading me to "Chicano," a word with deep history and social context that captured the fight and struggle for justice, individuality, and empowerment of Mexican Americans living in the United States—my time in New York brought yet another dimension, as I was labeled "Tejano" reflecting my connection to Texas and my Mexican heritage.
Each designation represented a step in my ongoing understanding of the intricate layers of who we are and how people view us, illustrating the nature of one's evolution of identity. "Latinx" emerged as the latest of the ever-changing terms. This label speaks to a long overdue acceptance, desire, and demand for inclusivity and gender neutrality, reflecting our progress and awareness. This generation's perspective has shed light on the fact that identity is not only about ethnicity but also about positively embracing one's true self, no matter how it may differ from societal conventions, and the importance of acknowledging diverse gender identities. As I navigate through these widely contested terms, I can empathize with those outside of traditional classifications. My discomfort with being misclassified affirms the universal human desire to be seen and respected for who we genuinely are. It reinforces the importance of addressing individuals in a manner that aligns with their self-identified labels and pronouns.
The fluidity of terminology used to describe brown communities reflects a broader societal evolution—a journey of understanding, inclusivity, and acceptance. This continuous transformation serves as a reminder that identity is a deeply personal and multifaceted concept that rigid or fixed classifications can't constrain. Just as we've embraced the changing tides of identity terminology, we must extend that openness to the new generations, accommodating their evolving perspectives and identities with the same respect and understanding.
As language evolves and mirrors the sociocultural, economic, and political changes, we navigate shifting standards in an era of social media, disinformation, and an increasingly polarized society with sharply contrasting perceptions and opinions on the rights of the undocumented immigrants, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ communities, and women. In Texas and other states undergoing significant demographic shifts, the longstanding tactic of exploiting divisions persists, echoing a historical pattern dating back to the nation's inception.
Soy de Tejas encapsulates and reflects broadly at a pivotal moment in which the Latinx community’s existence has become entwined with political manipulation and our presence as an ever-growing threat. Despite these obstacles, we press forward, optimistic for a brighter future and hope for creating positive change. As artists have done throughout history, they empower and amplify the voices and concerns of the vulnerable and oppressed—painting, building, and recording a more accurate representation and authentic portrayal of ourselves, our history, and our collective Texas and American experience.
With more than a hundred works on view, this exhibition takes place at a time following the COVID-19 pandemic, the turbulent aftermath of a defiant lame-duck president, and the political discourse and policies of the current Texas governing body affecting women's rights and bodily autonomy. The ongoing concerns at the border and the human rights issues of undocumented immigrants, including families separated at the border, are addressed overtly and covertly, notably by artists Angel Cabrales, Ingrid Leyva, Karla Michell Garcia, and Patrick McGrath Muñiz. Additionally, thought-provoking interactive works like Violette Bule's draw attention to the surging population within for-profit detention centers. Josué Ramírez's resourceful, deceptively simple, and ingeniously titled installation and two-dimensional works highlight the growing wealth inequality and the rapid advancement of gentrification.
While many artworks focus on poignant and complex themes and traumas, the artists tackle these issues with compassion, truthfulness, and dignity. In contrast, other artists balance and shift the narrative, celebrating the pleasures and humor that provide solace, and sustain us in the face of overwhelming challenges: family, faith, cultural traditions, community, and heritage. Through saintly portraits, handcrafted sculptures, photography, mixed media collages, and installations of family and community members, attention is drawn to individuals who have historically existed on the margins, lacking space, representation, and due recognition.
Dependable, selfless, and humble role models who have influenced and impacted our lives are depicted in several portraits in the exhibition. Fathers, mothers, and grandparents of artists like Arely Morales, Omar Gonzalez, Raul de Lara, and Tina Medina are represented and celebrated for the strength, labor, sacrifices, and paths they laid, altering our possibilities and those of future generations. Through larger-than-life paintings, meticulously crafted objects, and installations that command attention, the artwork honors their stories and experiences, validating their existence and accomplishments. These creative tributes encourage viewers to reflect on the narratives behind these subjects, enabling younger generations to see themselves in these stories, affirm their significance, and inspire them to strive for even greater heights.
Other works, including Ashley Thomas's votive candles, Jaylen Pigford's altar-like compositions, and Joe Peña's nightscapes, highlight precious mementos and sites of deep personal and cultural connections and significance. Francis Almendárez's ode to the lovingly prepared dishes of home, Eva Marengo Sanchez's holy water, a repellent from evil, and Marianna Olague's capilla of La Virgen de Guadalupe hint at faith, devotion, traditional safeguards, and comforts of home, and combined encompass the deep attachment to place, memory, and time. These artists document and preserve our culture symbolically; customary practices passed down through meaningful interpretations of art. These tributes urge the viewer to reevaluate the overlooked artifacts and rich scenery associated with our daily lives, bringing the viewer closer to developing a deeper connection and revealing the more profound meaning behind our simple joys and surroundings.
Many artists, including Gil Rocha, Vic Quezada, Natalia Rocafuerte, José Villalobos, and others, embrace a rasquache aesthetic. Utilizing discarded materials, often found or typically affordable, and connected to a visual landscape of their surroundings and methodology ingrained or inherited from previous generations. The exhibition presents works by artists descended from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela, to name a few, where a history of resourcefulness and ability to make do is evident through their works. Artists like Christian Cruz's installation and performance focus attention on pink collar workers through the use of women's undergarments and laundry baskets, Stephanie Concepcion Ramirez's ancestral exploration pieces together photos and text obscured by emergency blankets, a symbol of the immigrant plight. Ruben Luna's touching video captures the creation of a painting using melted crayon heels on a plywood dancefloor, recording each joyful step of his parents' intimate dance. Whether investigating matters related to labor, ancestry, or cultural traditions, each is tackled conceptually through inventive, often improvised approaches and materiality that challenge norms associated with the history of art-making. What may have started from the ingenuity of blue-collar trades, DIY hacks, and quick fixes at home has been translated and distilled into many of these artists' artistic practices and studios. What was once viewed as an aesthetic of low-income or low-brow has brazenly transformed into highly conceptual theory and museum-level quality artworks.
This eclectic ensemble of artists from different backgrounds and journeys to Texas is arranged like a well-composed chorus. Each artist interacting, and contributing a distinct section and narrative to create a rich polyphonic texture. Despite their varied paths, they find common ground in historical, economic, and cultural factors, resulting in a harmonious melody that fuses contemporary migration experiences with deep-rooted ties stretching back through the state's Mexican and early Texas history. As Texans, they are united in their pursuit of happiness, fueled by both their individual endeavors and the enduring dreams passed down from their ancestors.
The generations that preceded them spent their lives working as the backbone of the agricultural sector, putting food on American tables, cooking in kitchens across the restaurant industry, construction laborers building our city's infrastructure and housing, caretakers providing comfort to the sick and elderly, and raising our children. Many more fought on the front lines across the globe, and others were entrepreneurs and proprietors contributing to the economic growth and betterment of large urban communities, to border towns and rural enclaves. Unfortunately, many of these contributions have gone unacknowledged or outright excluded. Nevertheless, it is hard to imagine our state destitute of these working-class individuals' commitment to hard work, service and bravery, family values, customs, and cuisine that make Texas a distinctive and multicultural state.
The artists of Soy de Tejas tell our collective stories, past and present, through the transformative power of visual narratives, so that their impact can no longer be ignored or overlooked. These groundbreaking Texas artists are bound by a mutual understanding that transcends labels and characterizations, and each, in their unique way, underscores the significance of honoring and acknowledging who we are and the importance of what is ours. Positioned far from the world's art capitals, Soy de Tejas highlights the universal desire for recognition and respect for our existence and origins—a celebration of our creativity, originality, resourcefulness, resilience, and diversity. It emphasizes the importance of cultural understanding, embraces evolving identities, and recognizes the contributions of communities that form the heart and soul of Texas.