STMT

My practice is rooted in the concept of memory as a representation of existence. To exist is to generate memory; we reminisce and remain conscious of our past, chronicled in elements of nature such as land, water, trees, rock formations, and the cellular membranes of flora and fauna. The landscape is a living entity that witnesses and records history, with all its inhabitants leaving meaningful, man-made gestures on its surface across time and space. Handmade textiles crafted from natural fibers possess a unique potential to communicate and exchange ideas. This ability has been evident for centuries, as shown by the pre-Hispanic use of textiles as messengers of information. In the absence of written language, fiber was employed to collect, share, and document our past, serving as a vital link between the past and the present. My work is deeply interwoven with the historical significance of cotton, which serves as my primary source material. With its rich history, this fiber holds great personal and familial meaning. On a broader scale, cotton represents the global and regional history of Tejano and Latino families, connecting them through generations of labor harvesting the fiber in South Texas fields.