The work's impetus comes from growing up and seeing my Puerto Rican dad unable to continue his culture due to white supremacy and colonization. I want his stories, which I will never get - so now I can glean others’ stories, and the culture moves forward. There is a longstanding tradition of storytelling in Black, Latinx, and Indigenous cultures, and I continue these traditions through these workshops.
Workshops focus on braiding a three-strand braid and conversing about identity. The braid is a meaningful gesture in my work that represents connection. I take these braids and create sculptures. These monumental amorphous structures create a community with the accumulation of braids on its surface;
the sculptures are a cacophony of voices.
Working with these organizations will assist me in determining the stories that long to be told, give me space to host braiding circles, and connect community members.
braiding circles programming will begin in January 2024, and I seek to raise $60,000 for this two-year project.
The monies raised will be used as follows:
- Organizational and participant stipends
- Materials
- Travel for artist
- Studio rent for artist
- Stipend for artist and studio assistant
- Childcare
- Stipend for sound mixer, videographer, photographer
Learn More: https://veronicaaperez.com/