Full Description
Derived from the words miscere and genus in Latin, mestizaje refers to a mixing of the races. In the book bilingual book Mestizaje, internationally acclaimed artist Kathy Sosa presents a cross-sectional view of Mexican American culture as it is practiced in the centuries-old blended culture of the Texas-Mexico borderlands. She documents and projects the effects across generations of peoples and cultures meeting, overlapping, and organically blending into something new. The richness and beauty of mestizaje come from a place where people speak Spanglish, eat Tex-Mex food, and dance to Willie Nelson and Flaco Jimenez—sometimes all at once. Sosa foretells what much of the United States has become or will be like before long.
The imagery and symbolism of puro mestizaje (total mix) figure prominently in Sosa's work, and it is a mix unique to the borderlands' historical traditions and myriad cultures. Sosa derives inspiration from and reflects a bold palette of strong female figures. Celebrating what the women of these borderlands think, feel, and revere culturally, she explores the roles of indigenous traditions, colors, and textiles. Family, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances—real and imagined—participate in the spirit of mexicanidad, though most were not born in Mexico and some have never visited. Supplemented with dual-language essays in English and Spanish by art critics, collectors, and historians, Mestizaje rejoices in feminist notions of blended cultures and opens readers' eyes to the lessons they offer and what they tell us about America today.
Contents
ESSAYSIntroduction: Sandra Cisneros
p. 5 A Mestizo Feminism: the Art of Kathy Sosa
Ricardo Romo
p. 9 KATHY SOSA: Cosmic Race Portraiture
Carla Stellweg
p. 47 Past and Present: Reflections on the Tree of Life
Jennifer Speed, Ph. D
p. 53 Day of the Dead Gentleman Callers and
Their Muse On My Mind: Homage to Mom
Kathy Sosa
p. 187 Fine Art Meets Street Art In Defense
of Borderland Culture
Kathy Sosa
p. 223 Artist Statement
p. 231 A Little About Coming to be an Artist
and The Mestizaje that Inspires Me
Kathy Sosa
p. 237 About the Essayists
SERIES
p. 21 Face Painting + 52
p. 43 Trees of Life
p. 115 Personalidades Grandes
p. 129 Winged Creatures
p. 147 Paperwork
p. 157 Found Objects
p. 169 Huipiles
p. 185 Artivism, Installations & Public Art
p. 217 Revolutionary Women
p. 227 Career Highlights
