María Cristina Tavera
Minneapolis, MN
Maria Cristina Tavera (“Tina”) is a Latinx artist, independent curator, and cultural organizer influenced by her transnational upbringing between Minnesota and Mexico. Her artwork investigates constructions of race, ethnicity, gender, national and cultural identities. Tavera has an MA in Public Affairs-Leadership in the Arts from the University of Minnesota Humphrey School. She has received fellowships and grants from the Archibald Bush Fellowship, McKnight Visual Arts Fellowship, Smithsonian Latino Museum Studies program, Museum of Modern Art-New York, Forecast Public Art, Minnesota State Arts Board, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC), and Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME). Tavera has exhibited and curated shows nationally and internationally. Her artwork can be found in the collections of the Weisman Art Museum, Fargo Plaines Museum, and the Tweed Museum of Art. Her publications include essays for the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, as well as a book titled, Mexican Pulp Art.
Pizca de Esperanza / Harvesting Hope
Serigraph
A tribute to the essential field workers in the United States whose contributions are critical to the food supply especially during the pandemic. Fruits and vegetables are mostly picked by hand, an undesirable job as the agricultural work is physically demanding with long hours in the scorching sun and exposure to pesticides.The majority (estimates of 50-75%) of the crop farmworkers, are mainly from Mexico, of which half lack legal immigration status. The administration has provided temporary relief from deportation recently due to temporal labor shortages in the farming and agriculture industry. The agricultural workers’ dream of safe and healthy working conditions is denied as they receive little pay and insufficient benefits including inadequate health care. The farmworkers are at risk of contracting the coronavirus at much higher rates due to close working conditions in the fields and packing facilities. The potentially devastating consequences could impact our country’s food security.
Click image to see the full print.