Zoraida
Lopez
Diago
The series of photographs in Hija del Sol, are about the nostalgia surrounding moments and times all of us go through during our youth, when we are in new places and embarking on independence that occurs before marriage, children, and careers. This work is about how we are excited for the future, but cling to these moments of freedom with grips that over time, slowly fade.
Many of images in Hija del Sol contain subtle friction. There are elements from the past
that belonged to my mother as well as my grandmother, that are in conversation with my current belongings and dwelling. The work incorporates woven cloth, lace, and layers, and as a result, contains texture. Text in the form of old postcards and newspaper clippings further layer the work. Carrie Mae Weem’s Kitchen Table Series inspired me to re-photograph the work in my current home while artist Elena Del Rivero’s use of paper and gauze to both evoke nostalgia and the contemporary prompted me to incorporate three dimensional materials into the images. Mona Hatoum’s video installation incorporating sounds and writings of her mother helped solidify my desire to explore this subject.
Hija del Sol is an ongoing project and one that like myself, will go through change. I hope to further incorporate my mother’s poetry into the work and continue to explore how to modernize the past in a manner that speaks to the specific moment I am in. I am currently exploring both video and soundscapes to further develop the work.
From May 15th- June 1st, 2016, I photographed New York State migrant farm workers, who marched 200 miles from Smithtown, Long Island, to the NYS Senate in Albany, as they called for basic protections such as the right to collective organizing, overtime pay, and a day of rest. Photographs of the shoes their wore while walking 200 miles are below. A special thanks to Rural Migrant Ministry for allowing me to document segments of this journey and to the incredible walkers and farmers for their strength and fortitude.