Mama (2022)
My relationship with my mom has been a struggle. Growing up, I had the typical phase where I wanted to do nothing with my mom, but as I grew older, I started to view and understand her differently. It seems to be a common thing among women who have relationships with their mothers. I have come to learn that she is a powerful and caring woman. She crossed through multiple countries to reach the U.S. to escape the confinement and dangers of her hometown in El Salvador. She has suffered through years of labor and abuse, yet she still stands strong. Even after long days of work, she will still put on a dress and jewelry to make herself feel good. She fought with my neighbor to be able to plant flowers outside her door. In difficult times, I will always catch her praying, and although I am not religious anymore, it is comforting to see her pray.
My mom has always made a point to decorate her home. It is her way of feeling like she belongs. It is difficult for immigrants and their children to feel like they belong in the U.S. Even though my mom has lived here for 40 years and has been a citizen for 30, she still finds herself out of place. She finds that comfort through religion, femininity, and family, and she displays that across her home. I wanted to encapsulate that. When I think of her, I don’t really see her face. I see the pictures of Jesus scattered all over her home. I think of the family pictures displayed for everyone to see. I think of her jewelry and femininity. I think of her flowers. I think of her hands that endured the years of hardship. This was a love letter to my mom.
NWA (2022)
Padre Nuestro (2022)
