Hot Cheetoh Makeup Palette and Hot Cheeto Dust on Canvas
20" x 24"
2024
Mexican women luchadoras embody the spirit of resilience, strength, and defiance that has long defined the experiences of Mexican women both in Mexico and the United States. In the wrestling ring, these luchadoras break barriers, challenging gender norms and societal expectations while performing with power, grace, and determination. Their masks and personas symbolize the multifaceted roles Mexican women navigate in their daily lives—mothers, daughters, workers, warriors, and leaders—all while resisting systems of oppression.
This resilience is not confined to the ring. Historically, Mexican women have been at the forefront of social and political struggles, from the soldaderas of the Mexican Revolution to modern-day activists and community organizers. In the United States, Mexican immigrant women have faced the dual challenges of systemic racism and economic exploitation, yet they continue to build and sustain their communities with remarkable strength.
Through my work, I draw parallels between the physical and symbolic battles of luchadoras and the enduring fight of Mexican women for dignity, equity, and self-determination. These figures serve as a tribute to their resilience, celebrating their ability to thrive and transform even in the face of adversity.
