A collection of 80 works on paper in charcoal and ink. The drawings are self-portraits of the artist rendered between 2018 and 2019. The drawings measure 14 x 11 inches and depict various facial gestures, hairstyles and clothing. Inspired by the writings of Gloria Anzaldua who wrote: “The world knows us by our faces, the most naked, most vulnerable, exposed and significant topography of the body.”
In her book, Making Face, Making Soul / Haciendo Caras, Anzaldua writes, “Among Chicanas/Mexicanas, haciendo caras, ‘making faces’ means to put on a face, express feelings by distorting the face--frowning, grimacing, looking sad, glum or disapproving. For me haciendo caras has the added connotation of making gestos subversivos, political subversive gestures, the piercing look that questions or challenges, the look that says, ‘Don’t walk all over me,’ the one that says, “‘Get out of my face.’”
Expressing anger, passion or strong emotion as a Latina is often interpreted negatively by people who have gender norms for all women, but especially for women of color. Latinas have been pushing against gender expectations for centuries, and continue today. Take for example the way Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who recently refused to accept mistreatment by a peer in congress. These drawings created a space for me to express emotions that are difficult to express in the world we live in today.