BROWN GIRLS

 

 

“I MAKE MY ART FOR BROWN GIRLS!” 

– Kathi Juarez

Aspiring artist Katherine “Kathi” Juarez debuted this past weekend at the Inglewood Open Studios 15th Annual Art Walk with her collection: Mi Razon Por Vivir.

The event is meant to highlight Inglewood artists and their media. Kathi, whose goal with photography is to, “capture the beauty I find within my community and its residents” while embedding her Chicana culture, such as the incorporation of large hoops, long nails, and graphic eyeliner, was one of these artists. 

 

“When I was presented with the opportunity,” she states, “I knew I had to showcase the most important people in my life: the women. So duh, that was my mom and my sister.” The title itself, holds a double meaning and is meant to explain, “that my sister and I are a product of my mother’s resilience, but the reason my mom continues to live is because of her two daughters,” Kathi stated. 

Through 35mm film, she captures her mother, Erika, in a white top and cream crocheted skirt in front of a wall of bougainvillea flowers; her sister, Yurani, in front of the same flowers with a green top and burgundy pants. The flowers were reminiscent of her mother’s enjoyment of gardening, Kathi explained. 

“The significance of the flowers connect back to my mom’s love for gardening, holistic remedies, and overall connection to nature.”

The top picture shows them holding hands in the middle of a street. Kathi explained, “I knew the palm trees were representative of Inglewood, but even if you’re not from here, you know this is the West Coast, which is what I was hoping to do.” Despite her art being Chicano-focused, she felt the need to highlight that she doesn’t necessarily enjoy well-known Chicano symbols or props in her photography. 

“With my stuff I don’t have a Randy’s donut or Inglewood sign in your face. The people around me is the authenticity. I don’t have to shove no symbol in your face.”

She explained, “All of my art is made with emotion and everything is intentional,” and that this project was a family effort. Her sister and mother, the subjects, were excited to partake in the shoot. Her father, although not captured, played a large role behind the scenes, helping her with lighting and later setting up her exhibit.

The exhibit itself is an extension of her intentionality. Out of all the stand alone pictures of her mother and sister, she chose the two in which they are facing one another. “They are reflections of each other,” expressed Kathi. The top photograph was meant to represent hope for the future, optimism, and calmness. 

“I think it looks cinematic. It looks like the end credits of a movie. Like, damn they’re bad asses! They just walked away from something. From what? THE BS!” 

The hands and bandanas on the frames also came from a place of cultural and personal connection. Her hands symbolized her inclusion in the passing down of motherhood and sisterhood, as well as preserving their livelihoods in her own life. The bandana colors were meant to represent the love for her Brown skin and the Mexican flag. 

“Chicanos were one of the first activists of self love. Now it’s very easy to find that content, but I didn’t have that growing up, I only saw white Mexicans. So I wanted my self affirmation of, ‘I love my Brown skin. I love the Brown on Brown.’ in this piece.”

Additionally, Kathi explained that her mother, although she won’t admit it, is extremely artistic. Erika’s preferred medium: crochet. Therefore included in the exhibit was a variety of her mother’s crocheted jewelry for sale. Kathi was also able to include Yurani’s nail art in the exhibit, which can be seen in the hands below the frames. 

“The exhibition was a community effort. My family and friends all helped out; including Andrew, Sheyla, Jasmin, and Wada. They have all inspired me.”

Kathi’s work specifically captures, “the authenticity within each subject and their environment.” Her most important objective is highlighting beauty. 

“There is beauty in the hood, but with that there is the bad, which you can’t ignore. I highlight both aspects.”

Kathi also went on to explain that her art is specifically made for women like her, and she hopes to embrace the stereotypical Chicanidad beyond lowriders and oldies (“Which I still love and appreciate!”).

“I think my art is specifically for Brown girls!!! I don’t care if some white hoes get mad at me. This isn’t for you! This is for Brown girls who are trying to be comfortable in their skin. This is for the loud people. This is for the weird little kid. This is for the little gay monkey at the Apple store.”

She plans to continue her work and hopes to learn along the way. Most importantly, however, she wants to highlight Chicano life and culture in its rawest form.