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| Xochiatlapan - Mixed Media |
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| Gunaa Xoo Playing Trumpet-Oil on Canvas |
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| De Niņa A Mujer-Acrylic on Found Object |
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| Sobreviviente: Marina-Acrylic Collage on Canvas |
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| Tonalpoualsihuatl-Acrylic on Canvas |
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| Gunaa Xoo Amamantando-Oil on Canvas |
Sobreviviente Gunaa Xoo Transforming
Life Sobreviviente - Survivor 1. To remain alive
or in existence.
2. To carry on despite hardships or trauma; to persevere. 3. To remain functional or usable. Sobreviviente:
Gunaa Xoo Transforming Life is an exhibition of metaphoric new works, video, and installation by Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez.
Gunaa Xoo is Zapoteco for strong woman. Zapoteco is also the language of the fierce Tehuanas, who challenge
anyone attempting to dismantle their society of governance, one of the last remaining matriarchies. The artworks are a series of portraits, and compositions painted on found object and/or recycled material used as metaphors
for mujeres that have survived violence at the hands of family, husbands, intimate partners, and the border.
After enduring incest, intimate partner violence, and even violence from someone we barely know, these women have come
up on the other side as magnificent, amazing women that have not only persevered but have thrived. The
digitally altered video will present each of the women telling her story in her own words. The artwork
and video will be placed within the installation of a home characteristically defined by Chicana culture, with nuances of
life transformed. The artworks are created from materials that were found, given, acquired, or used in
past exhibitions that are customarily thrown out, but instead reinvented and formed into something beautiful.
Sobreviviente is a healing
exhibition. It is an actual ritual in women taking abusive power and transforming it into a power that will be sent out into
the universe to heal even the perpetrators so we may end this perpetual cycle of violence. The gallery space is divided into four areas, outside the kitchen door, the kitchen, the
living room, and the bedroom. In each area, artwork that is empowering to mujeres (women) will be placed to consume
the words and wounds still emerging on the walls and furniture beneath the haphazard manner in which we attempt to cover the
effects of violence. Speaking the truth about our abuse in a safe space, (i.e. in art, writing, group, etc.) will remove
it from our bodies so they can be restored. The healing space, the words of the survivors, and the strength of Tehuanas
will empower, bring beauty to our lives, and assist those of us in overcoming the violence we have encountered.
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Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez, a home girl from San Anto, is a multi-media Chicana artist.
Observing the Chican@ Movement through the lens of a child has shaped her life, work, and the creation of her cartoon character,
Citlali, La Chicana Super Hero. She received a B.A from TWU in Denton,
Texas, and a M.F.A. the UW Madison. She also received a certificate in traditional culture from Universidad
Nahuatl in Ocotepec, Mexico. Her artistic interests converged in Sobreviviente, a healing exhibition and installation
at Bihl Haus Arts. The work was painted on found object and/or recycled
material representing mujeres surviving violence at the hands of family, intimate partners, strangers, misguided religion,
health, and the border. Vasquez’ concentration
remains: · In examining the artistic perception of cultural hybridity, · In contemporary and global artistic approaches to Indigenous and African spiritual healing, · Achieving ecological balance in her work, · Feminist perspective in creating comics contributing to community health through multi-generational
relationships, and · Bringing attention to the lack of Chicana and
women’s representation in the arts and education. Currently, Vasquez works in collage, clay, installation,
and film shorts. She is the Arts Education Director for Bihl Haus Arts, and teaches ceramics and sculpture at Our Lady
of the Lake University.
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on Fire
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La Cultura Cura, Baby! Artivist • 1603 Hick Ave • San Antonio,
Texas 78210 • Phone: (210) 363-1689
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