Nuestra Delta Magica
Monica and I are from distinct South Texas border cities, Brownsville and Laredo, and hold a shared narrative. We believed there was “nothing here” to offer us. After becoming involved with community arts organizations, working alongside local social justice leaders, and continuing to seek histories written by BIPOC scholars, Monica and I learned more about ourselves. We experienced the importance of being connected to our true histories and realized what harmful narratives can do to our perception of ourselves and our border community. This exhibition is an invitation to see the beauty and abundance of our home, understand its history, and continue to collectively shape its future. Read more here.
956 Radical Library
The 956 Radical Library was founded in 2021 by Nansi Guevara and Xandra Treviño in response to the growing threat of book bans across the US. Building on an initial donation from the Texas Book Festival, our collection has grown thanks to support from the Mellon Foundation.
Imagining a Decolonized Future at the Border
I incorporate textiles in my public art works, and drape them as alter pieces, where migrants can see themselves reflected and also find faith and hope in these images. These works where inspired by Amalia Mesa Bains writings on ‘Domesticana’ and the altar in the home, women creating place in their new environment and putting together spaces where we can hope, pray, and practice their spirituality. Healing and spiritual public spaces are important in Mexican American border communities, and I hope to keep expanding this work into public space to create spaces of healing and reflection.
Incorporó textiles en mis obras de arte público, y los cubro como piezas de altar, donde los migrantes pueden verse reflejados y también encontrar fe y esperanza en estas imágenes. Estas obras se inspiraron en los escritos de Amalia Mesa Bains sobre "Domesticana" y el altar en el hogar, mujeres que crean un lugar en su nuevo entorno y crean espacios donde pueden esperar, orar y practicar su espiritualidad. Los espacios públicos sanadores y espirituales son importantes en las comunidades fronterizas mexicano-americanas, y espero seguir expandiendo este trabajo al espacio público para crear espacios de sanación y reflexión.
Taller de Permiso Mercadito Mobile
Street vendors are important in maintaining the heartbeat and soul of border communities. Street vendors are at the center of leading economic justice in South Texas border communities. I come from three generations of women who where street vendors in Mexico. This piece is a Rasquache fold out dinning table that is completely mobile, built onto the traditional vendor bicycle. Street Vending in Brownsville is currently not regulated and not legal, and this public piece has traveled to various local markets as a demand for legalization of mobile vending.
Los vendedores ambulantes son importantes para mantener el pulso del corazón y el alma de las comunidades fronterizas. Los vendedores ambulantes están en el centro de liderar la justicia económica en las comunidades fronterizas del sur de Texas. Vengo de tres generaciones de mujeres que fueron vendedoras ambulantes en México. Esta pieza es una mesa de comedor plegable Rasquache que es completamente móvil, construida sobre la tradicional bicicleta de vendedor. La venta ambulante en Brownsville actualmente no está regulada ni es legal, y esta pieza pública ha viajado a varios mercados locales como una demanda para la legalización de la venta móvil.
