My inspiration is a cultural stew taking after Western and Mexican artists. The folding screen relates to triptychs like those of Van Eyk's. It also takes after the folding screen, Biombo with the Conquest of Mexico and View of Mexico City, in the Franz Mayer Museum. Biombos arrived from the Philippines to New Spain as a luxury item and favored the Spaniard's retelling of the conquest.

My version questions what Mexicanhood is/means, as well as referring to the greatness of Mexicans. The artwork exemplifies the resourcefulness of our creativity despite circumstances. I scavenged wood pieces and glued those to the board, embracing the fragmentation they provide. All of the artwork's elements join to create a whole, just like how we are built.

The right panel (Doña Anita) depicts my abuelita (grandmother). She escaped her town to avoid a forced marriage. When she moved to Mexico City, she was illiterate and still made her way by working in a nunnery in exchange for schooling and food. Ultimately, she became a nurse. She is in outlines because she has already passed away; she is part of the cosmos.

The center panel (insert your name here) attempts to reflect the image of my people so that we (despite our differences) can see ourselves. Each of us can also represent greatness. The panel gets crowned by my attempt at Moctezuma's Quetzalapanecáyotl (Quetzal-Feather Headress) citing the great Amanteca (Feather Artists).

The left panel (Rafael Luna) portrays current Indigenous Storyteller and Aztec Dancer Rafael Luna in his regalia, whom I deeply admire.

Words from Rafael:

"Amoh nech tlaxochitican quienhman yo ni moh tlallecana. Nech tlazohtla axhan ni mitz tika.

No me llenes de flores cuando ya halla partido. Dime qué me amas ahora que puedo mirarte."

(Translation: Don't swarm me with flowers when I'm gone. Tell me you love me now that I can look at you

The piece got exhibited in Cut the Slack!, the Senior Show for BFA Students at Pace University’s Art Gallery from April 28th to May 11th, 2023. 6’x 8’.