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Celeste Sarabia
Semillas: Twice as Perfect
This series pays homage to the Latinx people who have had to adapt to being raised in a Latinx household/community while living in the U.S. The subjects were interviewed about their experience living in the U.S and the pros and cons of their situations and lifestyle. The backgrounds of each painting represent their unique traits, strengths, and weaknesses.
More paintings to follow.
Sacrificio de Ayer | Buen Provecho
2019
Acrylic, Oil, Oil Pastel on panel
30 x 24 inches
As an immigrant from Mexico City, Zuara has had to leave behind the world she's always known and adapt to a new way of living. She says she basically had to raise herself. Zuara was forced to grow up quickly and learn how to take care of her family. While the US has given an abundance of opportunities and abilities for her to achieve her dreams, she can't help but look back at what sacrifices and challenges her family has had to endure. The pressure of not only living up to her dreams, but also her parents dreams, has been incredibly stressful. She's so thankful and appreciative for everything her family has done for her. However, she feels like she'll always feel that pressure to make them proud.
"Anytime I feel depressed or feel like im crumbling, the one thing I always remind myself is I'm doing this for a reason. That is to make my family proud and to give them something to be proud of, so that I can help them and basically pay them back for all the sacrifices that they've made for me to be here. It's my way of showing them that it was worth it and at the end something good came out of it."
Acrylic, Oil, Oil Pastel on panel
30 x 24 inches
As an immigrant from Mexico City, Zuara has had to leave behind the world she's always known and adapt to a new way of living. She says she basically had to raise herself. Zuara was forced to grow up quickly and learn how to take care of her family. While the US has given an abundance of opportunities and abilities for her to achieve her dreams, she can't help but look back at what sacrifices and challenges her family has had to endure. The pressure of not only living up to her dreams, but also her parents dreams, has been incredibly stressful. She's so thankful and appreciative for everything her family has done for her. However, she feels like she'll always feel that pressure to make them proud.
"Anytime I feel depressed or feel like im crumbling, the one thing I always remind myself is I'm doing this for a reason. That is to make my family proud and to give them something to be proud of, so that I can help them and basically pay them back for all the sacrifices that they've made for me to be here. It's my way of showing them that it was worth it and at the end something good came out of it."
Agua y Tierra
2019
Acrylic, Oil, Oil Pastel on panel
30 x 24 inches
Gabriel's experience living in the US has him thinking very differently from how his Latino community has traditionally raised men to behave, dress, and talk. Latino men are generally raised to be machistas, meaning, they're forced into a position of male aggression to hold power over their household and relationships. However, growing up in the age of the internet, he got to experience and learn how other people lived in the world. He realized that he didn't agree with his traditional cultural roles. He didn't understand why men couldn't behave as women did and vice versa. He disliked the backlash from his community for not adhering to those roles. Men were immediately labeled as homosexual, insulted, or not considered a male for behaving, or dressing, differently.
To many latino families, Gabriel isn't considered masculine because he doesn't restrict himself to those roles. He chooses to express himself however he sees fit instead of conforming to his traditional upbringing.
Acrylic, Oil, Oil Pastel on panel
30 x 24 inches
Gabriel's experience living in the US has him thinking very differently from how his Latino community has traditionally raised men to behave, dress, and talk. Latino men are generally raised to be machistas, meaning, they're forced into a position of male aggression to hold power over their household and relationships. However, growing up in the age of the internet, he got to experience and learn how other people lived in the world. He realized that he didn't agree with his traditional cultural roles. He didn't understand why men couldn't behave as women did and vice versa. He disliked the backlash from his community for not adhering to those roles. Men were immediately labeled as homosexual, insulted, or not considered a male for behaving, or dressing, differently.
To many latino families, Gabriel isn't considered masculine because he doesn't restrict himself to those roles. He chooses to express himself however he sees fit instead of conforming to his traditional upbringing.
Los Deseos No Dejan Dormir
2019
Acrylic, Oil, Oil Pastel on panel
30 x 24 inches
As a homosexual latino, Edgar has had to face harsh backlash from his community. Growing up, he felt like he was expected to behave a certain way due to traditional cultural roles. When he finally moved hundreds of miles away from home, he came to the realization that it was ok to be different. After coming out to his family and friends, most people have been incredibly supportive. After years of being insulted for being different, his family has made it a point to relearn how to think and act. Edgar embodies pride in his self and the value he brings to others. Despite his sexuality, Edgar has always looked ahead and forward to his future. For him, there's no going backwards. He strives for the best and excels in everything he puts his mind to.
Acrylic, Oil, Oil Pastel on panel
30 x 24 inches
As a homosexual latino, Edgar has had to face harsh backlash from his community. Growing up, he felt like he was expected to behave a certain way due to traditional cultural roles. When he finally moved hundreds of miles away from home, he came to the realization that it was ok to be different. After coming out to his family and friends, most people have been incredibly supportive. After years of being insulted for being different, his family has made it a point to relearn how to think and act. Edgar embodies pride in his self and the value he brings to others. Despite his sexuality, Edgar has always looked ahead and forward to his future. For him, there's no going backwards. He strives for the best and excels in everything he puts his mind to.
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