Over the time we have spent looking at art and artists in the course I have found myself drawn to artists I find connections with. While researching, I came across Tlisza Jaurique, her work is mesmerizing, while combining traditional Latin culture with new media. Jaurique pulls from her Mexican roots to show her cultural identity throughout all her work. She tends to prominently create her work inspired by traditional Mexican celebrations such as day of the dead and the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Jaurique work incorporates a mix of topography, painting and sculpture while showing clearing iconography with a pinch of glitter. The expression behind her work is to give us insight on the meaning of Mexican traditions using symbolism and beauty.[1]

Tlisza Jaurique brings a whole new light to Western art through all of her work with the use of her main ingredient, glitter. When we think of glitter we tend to think of something involving a child’s arts and crafts project. But Jaurique uses glitter in a way that enhances the strong figures and symbols her art is centered around in a way that accentuates her art and does not diminish it. The glitter is along the circular mirrors in her pieces to show emphasize the idea of reflection.[2] Using this technique makes us the viewer feel directly involved into the work, whether we can fully understand what is being portrayed. Taqueria makes us challenge our first thoughts and dig deeper to understand of the Mexican traditions and history she is so proud of. By using glitter in the empowering yet contemporary way, the layering of materials and cultural symbolism create a unique and honorary body of work.

Chicana art is about expressing the cultural ideas of Mexican culture. Tlisza clearly embodies this and using her cultures to shock meaning into all her work. Her art is all about the spirit of Mexican traditions while pushing the politics she places among her art which are often very subtle. These ideas can often be overlooked by the pure beauty of her art, however once we as the viewers recognize these things, we cannot unsee the importance of them. She connects her work to issues like many other Chicana artists.[3] Specifically, she uses the issues around the border through an activist approach to create meaning in all her art she communicates these issues through tiny details throughout her pieces. Tiny details that include things like the Virgin, sacred hearts, cacti, and even speech scrolls all have important meaning in her Mexican heritage.

One of her most striking and intellectually challenging pieces is her 2005-piece Desatame, (unravel me). This piece hangs on the wall and immediately we were drawn in by the bright colors portrayed throughout around the piece. The entire piece is glitter, besides the black border, but in every component and layer we see symbolism speaking to the issues that Latin American artist face. We also see the same features and center focal point of a strong women featured in her 2000’s piece Mayahuel.[4] Both works by Jaurique clearly intertwine the Chicana culture with the underlying meaning of women empowerment and cultural appreciation flowing through the entire body of art.  

Jauquire does such an astounding job tying in her cultural traditions in a new contemporary fashion. Her art is so bright and fun, but by using a limited palate the glitter does not become overwhelming, instead it adds another layer for us to digest. Tlisza Jauquire is a great representation of a Chicana artist trying to help others fully understand the culture of Latin American artists, and how express issues they face in their culture in their work using symbolism while keeping the art intriguing.  The way she can use so much traditional heritage and turn it into a contemporary piece, while using a material many never thought of as inspiring.

Sources

 “About the Art.” La Barca Cantina, May 4, 2021. Accessed October 21, 2021 https://labarcacantina.com/about-the-artist/.

“A Contemporary Madonna Counterpoint:Mexico & Puerto Rico/ On View through April 12.” Taller Puertorriqueo. Accessed October 21, 2021. https://tallerpr.org/contemporary-madonna-counterpointmexico-puerto-rico/.

“Tlisza Jaurique Glitters at Taller Puertorriqueño.” Artblog, July 9, 2019. Accessed October 21, 2021 https://www.theartblog.org/2014/04/tlisza-jaurique-glitters-at-taller-puertorriqueno/.

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[1] About the Art.” La Barca Cantina, May 4, 2021. Accessed October 21, 2021 https://labarcacantina.com/about-the-artist/

[2] “Tlisza Jaurique Glitters at Taller Puertorriqueño.” Artblog, July 9, 2019. Accessed October 21, 2021 https://www.theartblog.org/2014/04/tlisza-jaurique-glitters-at-taller-puertorriqueno/.

[3] “A Contemporary Madonna Counterpoint:Mexico & Puerto Rico/ On View through April 12.” Taller Puertorriqueo. Accessed October 21, 2021. https://tallerpr.org/contemporary-madonna-counterpointmexico-puerto-rico/.

[4]  “About the Art.” La Barca Cantina, May 4, 2021. Accessed October 21, 2021 https://labarcacantina.com/about-the-artist/