This project was inspired by an assignment during my first semester at CSUCI regarding the genre of documentary photography. I decided to shine a light on the Chicano representation around Southern California by photographing different murals relating to the Mexican-American culture.
Images shot on: Canon EOS Rebel T7 by Kiana Rodriguez
La Reina Nueva (The New Queen) by Judithe Hernandez is located in downtown LA where Cesar Chavez St and Broadway meet. The mural stands 70 feet tall on the face of La Plaza Village's apartments. The mural was created in 2019 to embrace Mexican-American culture. The construction of La Plaza Village brought in 3,500 jobs to Los Angeles. These vibrant colors caught my eye when driving past the architecture that I crossed the busy streets of LA to capture its beautiful enormity.
Aliso Dreams by Jose Lozano was a part of the Four Corners Project in La Plaza Village in 2019. The mural was inspired by El Aliso which is a historic Sycamore tree that symbolizes the value of community, family, and cultural heritage.
ABC Market: The Lady of Guadalupe is an important figure in the religious Mexican community who pray to her. Previously, the market was an all white building but by enhancing it with an artistic visual that represents Mexican culture it makes the market feel more welcoming to the Chicanos living there.
Day of the Dead: The holiday originated in Mexico that reunites the living with the dead. In Mexico, they believe that death is not final but merely a transition to the after-life reuniting with one's ancestors. Usually they hold festivals on the 1st and 2nd of November that includes skeleton related items and parades involving Spanish music. The "LA" symbol on the hat symbolizes the union of Chicano style with traditional Mexican attire.
Selena Quintanilla: She was a famous Chicana singer who brought up Tex-Mex/Cumbia music into the Latin community. A specific memory from watching the movie about Selena was when her father forced her to hide her relationship with Chris Perez because her male audience only followed her because she was single. Latinas and Chicanas are much more than their youth and beauty and people should have been following her for what she does instead of her relationship status.
Historical Images of La Colonia by Judy Suzuki is a timeline representing the historical events that have happened in La Colonia, Oxnard, California. Local community members helped create the mural alongside Judy to represent who lives there.
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