Artist Statement

The Self explores the concept of a “third space”—a space that brings together the different characteristics and facets of my identity into an intentional and meaningful state of mind and practice. In this work, I combine my heritage as Mexican-American and Native American with a more inward, reflective, and open-minded engagement with spirituality rooted in my Native background.

My sense of self and way of being have been shaped through moments of struggle and questioning throughout my life, which led me to imagine and create this third place. It becomes a space where my worldviews, beliefs, and values can exist together, even when they differ, while still remaining deeply connected to who I am.

To represent this idea, I created a world of two imaginative groups of cats. While they may appear similar, they differ greatly in their ways of being. This imagined world is intentionally fantastical, reflecting the openness of my thinking and my character, as well as the spiritual dimension of my work. Through this, I aim to visualize a space where multiple identities and perspectives can coexist in balance.