Mi Torogoz, Acrylic, Wood, Modeling Paste, Tape, Photographs, Cellophane, Paper, Fabric, 2025
Using the symbolism of el Torogoz and the use of photography, I represent the value of Latinos and their culture through the history of my own family and our Salvadoran heritage. During times like now where society belittles and turns their backs on them, I find myself searching for a way to give my people a voice. The Torogoz, the national bird of El Salvador, becomes a symbol of great importance as it represents the nation’s beauty, spirit, resilience, enduring strength, and family unity. With these ideas in mind, I created a large-scale Torogoz bird with feathers that obscure and protect the values of the photographic imagery they hold beneath; forcing my audience to closely view my images in order for them to appreciate and value them, as society should with the Latino community as well.