Dust and not copper

Dust and not copper, 2023.

Glicée print on Hahnemühle photo rag paper. 40 x 60 cm

​

Installation view: QUEMAR TODO HASTA SER FUEGO at espaciaGeneroses gallery, Mexico City, Mexico, 2023.

Works on view Dust and not copper, and Impostores.

​

Transformation resonates deeply with both the LGBTQ+ and migrant experiences. As a member of both these communities I have experienced the fluidity of identity, often navigating a journey of self-discovery and acceptance, embracing my true self and undergoing transformative experiences. 

 

Migration entails leaving behind one's familiar surroundings and embracing a new culture, language, and identity, embodying a profound transformation.

 

In Dust and not copper I capture myself in a state of transition, completely erasing the self, having left it all behind, about to shape shift. Inspired by Gertrude Stein’s Tender Buttons [dirt and not copper], a poem in which she delves into the complexities of human existence emphasizing its ambiguity and diversity. It resonates with me as it expresses how one’s lived experiences form one’s character and bring growth to our lives. All that makes life and forms my identity, the transient things, are invisible. All that I am is the dust and not the copper.

 

The chair is an element that has been consistent throughout my work. It serves as a stand in for personhood - an inanimate object yet living. In this exhibition, Dust and not copper is paired with a photograph of an earlier work Impostores to further illustrate the possibilities of change and transformation. The pairing is a rich metaphor to depict the process of self-realization and the inherent power within us to grow and evolve. Comparing these toy chairs to a human life, unfolding the ordinary into something majestic and awe-inspiring.

 

These works serve as powerful reminders of the strength and resilience found in embracing transformation and the exploration of one’s true self, ultimately forging paths of empowerment and authenticity.