Memorias de cobre
31”x21”
Oil on Wood
"En las Calles" is an ex-voto dedicated to my father, created in acknowledgment of a life-altering car accident that left him with serious health complications. The ex-voto tradition in folk art serves as a tribute to divine intervention in personal calamities and an inadvertent record of human misfortune. These artworks depict events ranging from everyday accidents, l, to severe tragedies.While he survived, the aftermath profoundly changed him, both physically and mentally. This piece serves as a visual testament to his resilience and a reflection on the lasting impact of unforeseen tragedies on personal identity and family dynamics.
30”x20”
Oil on Wood
"Entre Casas" is a family portrait of my brother, father, and me on the day of my kindergarten graduation—one of my happiest memories with my father. We embrace in front of my childhood home, a place that holds deep emotional significance. Both the front door and back entrance are adorned with painted images resembling photos taped onto the piece, depicting my father’s home in El Salvador. Though my father cherished his family in the U.S. and his life in Chicago, he deeply missed El Salvador. This painting merges both of his homes, with the tape symbolizing the fragility of this dream and its seeming impossibility, yet also expressing hope and the enduring connection to both places.
37”x27”
Oil on Canvas on Wood
"Regresando a Casa" captures the deeply emotional moment of my father’s burial in El Salvador. After his passing, I had the honor of returning his ashes to his home. This journey was not only a personal loss but also a profound shared grief for my family and his community in El Salvador. The painting portrays the collective strength and unity as family and community members gathered to honor his memory and lay him to rest.
39”x20”
Oil on Canvas adhered to wood
"Papá" is a composite painting of various childhood photos of my father in El Salvador during the civil war, a time that profoundly shaped his life and family. Forced into conflict at just 12 years old, like many children of his generation, he eventually left El Salvador to escape the war's devastation. Central to the painting is an image of him as a young soldier, a deeply vulnerable and painful memory. Draped over the painting is a green flannel—his final garment before his accident—symbolizing how both the war and the accident left lasting scars. This flannel adds a layer of privacy and anonymity, respecting his reluctance to discuss his wartime experiences. By merging these two pivotal moments, the piece collapses time, reflecting the enduring impact of trauma across his life.
34”x34”
Oil on Wood
"El Velorio" portrays my father's wake, where the community gathered over several days to pray and process their collective grief. This painting captures the profound sense of loss and unity as family and friends come together to honor his memory and support one another through the mourning process.