El Viaje, Oil on Canvas, 30 x 16 in, 2024
Through the exploration of traditional Salvadoran art, I created this painting in my own interpretation of La Palma folk art with symbols relevant to El Salvador. La Palma is typically made up of a collage of symbols and objects relevant to the culture. I decided to build off of those traditions and give my painting more narrative as I depict my family's immigrant history and how they have physically built a path for my success through their endless labor. I depict myself at the top of the hill below the statue El Monumento al Divino that represents Salvadorans worldwide and the nations faith and heritage as a symbolic representation of how I honor my family, culture, and Salvadoran diaspora.