My artistic practice investigates the intersection of spiritual reclamation, cultural preservation, and healing, using a multidisciplinary approach that reimagines traditional Mexican-Indigenous rituals and crafts in the context of contemporary art. Grounded in the spiritual practices of Curanderismo, including limpias (spiritual cleansings) and soul retrieval, my work serves as both offering and ritual. I merge industrial materials such as silicone, drywall, and concrete with organic and symbolic elements like beads, maize, shells, and feathers. These materials transform into objects that speak to labor, spirituality, and resilience, embodying a dialogue between ancestral practices and modern frameworks.
Central to my research is Alivio y Asilo, an ongoing series that explores the curative potential of portraiture. This body of work is deeply informed by the rituals of Curanderismo, where healing and storytelling intertwine. Each portrait is created through a collaborative process involving the subject, with whom I perform multiple limpias during the creation of the work. These sessions integrate materials charged with symbolic and medicinal significance—resin beads infused with plant medicine, chants, and personal imagery—along with miniature animal sculptures that communicate suggested remedies. The final artworks become layered compositions that transform traditional portraiture into a spiritual process of healing and restoration. This project bridges ancestral traditions with contemporary methodologies, reframing art as a vehicle for resilience and renewal.
By integrating traditional Mexican craft, spiritual healing, and contemporary art, my research contributes to broader conversations on cultural preservation and interdisciplinary art practices. It seeks to reclaim and recontextualize Indigenous traditions, positioning art as a transformative tool for decolonization and healing. My work honors the resilience of undocumented laborers and Indigenous communities, underscoring the potential of art to repair the spiritual, cultural, and historical wounds of colonization.