Gloria Mancera

Cultural Fusion: Mexico and Puerto Rico

My exhibition, "Cultural Fusion: Mexico and Puerto Rico," delves into the intricacies and wonders of having a multicultural identity. My aim is to honor and embrace the idea that one's identity can encompass multiple cultures. As someone with Puerto Rican and Mexican roots, I have experienced firsthand the challenges of identifying with a cultural label, which led me to choose this personal and important theme for my exhibition.

The artistic style of Frida Kahlo has significantly influenced my creative style and aspirations for this project. Kahlo's ability to express her struggles and experiences through her art strongly resonated with me, especially regarding cultural identity struggles. This influence is evident in my exhibition pieces, which focus on multiculturalism through my personal experiences.

Throughout the exhibition, I have utilized a range of materials and mediums, including colored pencils, chalk, clay, acrylic paint, graphic design, and collage. The selection of materials and mediums was carefully chosen to reflect the purpose of each piece. Each artwork was chosen to emphasize the beauty and challenges of a multicultural identity.

For example, in "Talavera Crazy," I used colored pencils and chalk to draw a self-portrait, merging myself into the background and vice versa. This artwork reflects my confusion with my identity, as I aim to showcase my multiculturalism. In "Coquilotl," an "alebrije" made up of a coqui, Puerto Rico's national animal, and an axolotl, Mexico's national animal, serves as a representation of my multicultural identity. Another piece consists of a collage with various symbols and elements that reflect the Mexican side of my multicultural identity.

The "alebrije" piece is the centerpiece of my exhibition, taking center stage and serving as the focal point for visitors. The other artworks will be arranged in a circular formation around the "alebrije", creating an umbrella effect with the pivotal piece at the center. This positioning is intentional, as the "alebrije" represents the merging of my two cultural identities and serves as the sole artwork that encompasses them both. Through my other pieces, I aim to explore myself within my multiculturalism, highlighting the challenges and beauty of having a mixed cultural background. These artworks are positioned in a way that complements the "alebrije", showcasing different aspects of my identity and experiences. Overall, the positioning of the artworks in my exhibition is designed to create a cohesive and impactful experience for visitors. By strategically placing the "alebrije" and my other art pieces, I hope to convey the complexity and richness of multicultural identity and encourage viewers to embrace the beauty of cultural diversity.

Overall, "Multicultural Identity" is an exhibition that celebrates and honors the intricacies of having a multicultural identity. Through a range of mediums and personal experiences, I aim to challenge societal pressures to categorize individuals and instead celebrate the beauty of having a mixed cultural background.