Celeste De Luna is a self-taught printmaker, artist and activist from the Rio Grande Valley. Her work has been inspired by her personal life and the experiences she\u2019s had on the border, along with the relationship with her husband, an I.C.E agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
De Luna\u2019s works focus on border issues, feminism, political views, patriotism and the communities within the border. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPeople don\u2019t like me using this relationship – no matter how it started – to explore borders because they don\u2019t like me having an independent voice,\u201d De Luna said, referring to her marriage and the relationship with her husband. \u201cIt\u2019s this idea like your work isn\u2019t legitimate because of who you\u2019re married to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
De Luna\u2019s different pieces of art have been on display in the Ben Bailey Art Gallery on campus since Jan. 15 and will continue to be displayed until Feb. 28. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Friday, she gave a talk to a room filled with students and faculty, during which she fielded questions about her work and discussed her inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
De Luna doesn\u2019t let other people try to deter or undermine her political views, or tell her what she should or shouldn\u2019t do with her art. De Luna\u2019s family is supportive of her border art, and will often model and be characters for her artwork and prints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also has a woodwork piece that depicts women with fences on their heads. To her, the piece isn\u2019t a violent act or symbol, but is a representation of borders and women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was trying to talk about women occupying border spaces and not just being violent places for men and cartels\u2026I decided to put the fences on top of women\u2019s heads,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For TAMUK Professor Roberto J. Vela Cordova the border patrol checkpoints throughout the Valley give \u201ca sense of closure and being surrounded,\u201d and commented on De Luna\u2019s work and the importance of such work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Art Associate Professor Jesus de la Rosa thinks De Luna\u2019s work is important and beneficial for everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s something we should be more conscious about. This work is necessary. We need to hear it in as many different mediums as possible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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