Gloria MOLINA: A WOMAN OF THE EASTSIDE
Gloria Molina, Sowing L.A.
Special Event August 29th, 2024, 6pm in observance of the 54th Anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium @Casa0101, Boyle Heights
Artists Reception Sat., Sept. 7th 4-7pm @ Casa0101
This painting is a tribute to Gloria Molina. With it, I celebrate her spirit and dedication to justice and equality for Women and Chicanos. Gloria was a pioneer, an advocate, activist, and feminist; she was also a master quilter. Her heart is engraved with the words love and justice. The word peace grows like a vine across her heart. Journey flows through the center, giving way to a flame with yellow rays like sunshine. It is the shell she would have seen during her two journeys through El Camino de Santiago in Spain.
At the top of the heart are ten spools of thread, representing Gloria, the eldest of ten and her siblings. The spools honor those things she weaved into our community. The Nopales, or "planta de vida," symbolize her resilience and endurance, arranged like a wreath of laurels that spotlight Gloria and her accomplishments. Strands of purple hair list her achievements, while colorful flowers signify her maternal love for her daughter Valentina and her community. One flower specifically honors the Comisión Feminil, which fought against the involuntary sterilization of Chicanas, an organization Gloria helped found and lead. Gloria also helped establish Mothers of East Los Angeles (MELA), opposing the construction of a state prison in East LA.
The hummingbird with the needle and thread represents Gloria sewing beauty and mending the fabric of Los Angeles. She sowed many seeds in our beloved L.A.
The white hummingbird represents the spirit of Gloria's Abuelita Selza, her role model and inspiration. It sits above a yellow Cala Lilly, Gloria's favorite flower. This painting was such a joy to create as I reflected on the inspirational life of Gloria Molina.
Laura Vazquez Rodriguez
Gloria Molina, Sowing L.A., by Laura Vazquez Rodriguez ©2024, 30" X 30"
Bronzeville: Modernity, race, and the search to belong
The Great Betrayal
Ten weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive order 9066. It authorized the incarceration of nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of who were U. S. citizens, born and raised in the United States. Their lives and dreams were shattered. Their homes and businesses were lost. For 4 1/2 years, they lived in makeshift barracks, behind barbed wire. Without trial or jury, they were persecuted solely on race.
I have created a child, pledging allegiance to a country that has betrayed her.
The snow covered mountains are wings symbolizing her strength.
The Sun (like the Japanese flag) is a halo. Her innocence radiates like an angel.
The teddy bear represents her belongings; peace, security and comfort. It has been uprooted. Its face is without expression.
The Chrysalis represents the transformation that she undergoes, dying to the person she was.
The butterfly represents new life.
The koi, known for swimming upstream, represents persistence and strength through adversity. Its marks allude to rows of barracks. The barbed wire with all its thorns is transformed into a
cherry blossom tree, a symbol of life, death, and renewal.
The tag represents dehumanization. Each person was given an identification tag, a family number and place of relocation.
In 1988 President Reagan passed the Civil Liberties Act, granting reparations to Japanese Americans who had been incarcerated by the United States government during World War 2. Those who were still living received a restitution payment of $20,000, an attempt by the United States Government to right a grave wrong
Laura Vazquez Rodriguez
The Great Betrayal, art by Laura Vazquez Rodriguez
Cultural & civic Art by laura vazquez Rodriguez
Silver Linings Project for LA Metro
Unmask Your Heart, depicts A celebration of the human spirit through these uncertain times.
Through the eye of the storm we see glimpses of hope The wind is moving, the sky is shifting, our eyes are opened. We look at life with greater clarity, with greater appreciation and gratitude.
With our voices muffled by masks, we have opened our hearts and found new ways to express compassion and kindness. Like a window into the young woman’s soul, We see her heart ignited. A heart shaped seed sprouts!
Light permeates through the darkness. Its roots stretch deep, its vines grow far.
The spirit of a dove soars through the sky representing the young woman's inner peace and tranquility.
A butterfly, woven into the woman’s blouse, represents transformative change. On her shoulder rests a hummingbird, it is an extension of her spirit. It signifies this time of stillness and reflection.
The sunflowers represent the sun, light, and life, and growth. For after every moment of darkness there is light.
Like windows that mirror the woman’s heart,
the flowers glow in stark contrast to the gray sky.
In each flower is a SILVER LININIG. Here we see prayer and meditation, human dignity with peace and unity, appreciation of nature and self care, mindfulness & respect of diversity, family, friendship and celebration, gratitude to essential workers, and shelter for “man’s best friends.”
"Unmask Your Heart" and its Symbolism
19th Amendment Centennial Art created for LA County
"Raise Your Voice"
La Opinion Interview
Q.
--What does it mean for you as a woman of color to be part of such a strong movement?
A.
As a woman and Latina I am honored to have been chosen to represent women of color. By nature women are nurturers. We want Fairness for all. We want to take care of everyone and everything. We are very courageous and have such a spirit of resilience and strength.
Creating this painting really allowed me to appreciate the sacrifices the suffragists made so that my voice could count.
The suffragists knew what it was to be excluded. Their voices were silenced and they were continually denied their vote but they came together, as women often do, in a powerful movement to inspire change!
We should embrace the beauty of diversity and realize the oneness and interdependence of humanity. We are all valuable! We are all worthy of respect, regardless of race, gender, skin tone or income.
We each play a role in this journey of life with our own unique gifts and talents.
The 19th amendment opened the door for all women, to safeguard human dignity, raise their voices, and actively participate in shaping society.
It was important for me, as a woman, to be a part of this project; to use MY VOICE, my art, to keep the suffragists story alive!
on becoming human
"Rise Up!"
"Rise Up! " Inspired by Upright Revolution or Why Humans Walk Upright By Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’O
This painting illustrates my interpretation of this short story. It is a story about conflict and the human struggle for power. It is about harmony and chaos, life and death, unity and division.
This is the story of man’s endurance, his perseverance and his awakening to his life song, as the story goes, we are one body, “us for us” “unity is our power.”
Like the story, my painting is a celebration of man’s life song.
Fashioned uniquely but united in purpose we must rise up and stand together to protect and serve one another in love.
WE ARE ALL CONNECTED... AS STRONG AS WE ARE UNITED, AS WEAK AS WE ARE DIVIDED.
Symbolism
At the bottom of my painting is a lion, strong and beautiful but untamed and fierce, it is ready to attack. The lion stares across at humanity's brokenness, its parts divided and weak. They are prepared to fight but unable to move. Disconnected and crumbling, the body is powerless.
Above the mound is a man who rises up, clothed with the armor of love, unity, and strength.
He is blanketed in peace. He moves forward on his journey of reconciliation and hope. With a staff in hand he walks across the ruins. Butterflies rise up like two hearts united, symbolizing transformation into love, faithfulness and harmony.
Awakening
Close Up on "Rise Up!"
connected
Journey to Wholeness
In this journey of life, may we come to realize the oneness and interdependence of humanity.
We are one body with many parts. If someone is not well, we are ALL not well.
Before the sun sets on our lives, may we come together to nurture love, compassion and understanding for one another.
Let us celebrate our diversity and reflect and honor our differences as we serve one another with compassion and love.
Laura Vazquez Rodriguez