Mar Figueroa
Region: Northeast
In my paintings, I explore the multiplicity of my identities as an Ecuadorian immigrant raised in my mother’s traditional Andean cuisine restaurant in the US. My practice is shaped by this restaurant, which served as a beacon for cultural continuity within my Andean community. The narratives within my artwork recount personal stories, shedding light on my immigrant journey, my heritage, ancestral wisdom, and spirituality. Using traditional Andean geometric design, Latin American folk art, and my environment as the foundation, I create the space for my characters to live within and partake in daily rituals like cooking, praying, or engaging in shamanism. Through my artistic practice, I engage in a profound dialogue with all my identities, especially those that have long been silenced.