This is a diptych painting set I began in the fall of 2020 and finally finished in Q1 of 2022. The central characters of the pieces are focused on Latino workers that feed America from the fields to the restaurants.
In times when politics have polarized people and lives are calculated by the value they offer to a nation, my hope is to feature the beauty and dignity of the work of countless Latinos that work hard to feed us.
The farm-focused piece is especially meaningful to me because I come from a long line of farmers. It’s also because of the Bracero program that President Eisenhower did that gave my father the opportunity to come to the United States. The fields are the birth of so much of our food. They were the birth of my family’s American dream. They taught me the value of hard work, my own strength, and taught me how to dream.
I am proud to be Mexican-American and proud of the farms that raised my family. These characters aren’t my family but represent the many Latinos that were my family and my people. When I work towards big dreams and goals, I know I don’t just do it for myself, but in a special way, honor the hard work of the communities that raised me. I hope to show the dignity to these beautiful people.
I – Agricultores
II – Cocineros
Notable Symbols
Square Halos
The square halos are an ancient symbol of the living saints that cultures deemed worthy of respect and even reverence. The work that countless laborers do on a daily basis on everything from harvesting crops to serving plates is essential, but unfortunately is often overlooked and undervalued.
The Sun and Moon
These symbols are a common motif in Latino art that pairs and contrasts the masculine sun and feminine moon in complementary energies. The two are also used as a juxtaposition of settings from rural to urban environments.
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