Whitewashed

2022, Sculpture

Plaster, white paint, wood

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I continuously reflect on my personal identity and the facade I present to the world - asking what is the “self” I share made of, and how does that align or differ with the self I wish to be? As I explore these questions I have become increasingly aware of the parts of my cultural identity that I conceal or dismiss and how these decisions have led to a version of self that I wish to reshape. 

I am ethnically mixed; my mother is Mexican, coming from Guanajuato, Mexico, and my father, White, grew up in California. I am admittedly white passing and I grew up surrounded by little ethnic diversity and around even fewer conversations around the Latinx identity and experience. As time passes I blend in further, I speak less Spanish as my family grows more familiar with English, I introduce myself sparsely by my full name, Corazon, and have distanced myself even farther from cultural celebrations and communities. I am ashamed to admit that I have experienced my cultural identity wash away to the point where I now have to prove my Mexican-ness in order to claim that identity.

The form of this sculpture was inspired by the artifact graveyard my maternal grandfather has built in his yard. After immigrating to California my grandfather promised that he wished to continue to connect with and support the artisans from Mexico. Whenever he visits Mexico he buys objects ranging from large wagons, engraved stones, instruments, metal and wood sculptures, and so much more to bring back and decorate his home with. I hoped to develop a sculpture that could go on to live in this space and contribute to our family’s Mexican-American story.