March 2020: Feminine Bloodlines, Mexican Womanhood: Erasing Submissiveness, Beatriz Vasquez

Indianapolis-based Beatriz Vásquez' Mexican heritage is firmly entrenched in her art practice. Her imagery of flowing colorfully patterned clothing and cultural symbols coupled with her use of the traditional Mexican technique of papel picado (cut paper) reflect the rich history of her family and her childhood growing up in the border town of Brownsville, Texas. Those memories and narratives converge with the current reality of oppressive traditions that still affect women wherever they live. In this new work, the artist has created larger than life figures to visualize and create space for an empowered and strong female presence in the 21st century.

Image: Mujeres de Maiz/Maize Women (detail), papel picado, 2020