Hermana Querida Painting

Hermana Querida, which translates to beloved sister, was inspired by a conversation I had with my middle sister, Kayley. The conversation revolved around the importance of resistance, and survival through community building. To symbolize how much we [Central Americans] have and continue to endure feelings of isolation and xenophobia, I composed the figure holding one cala lily on top of a tropical leaf. I wanted to emphasize the use of this specific flower and leaf because of their resilience; even after being cut from its roots, they can survive on their own with little water for a prolonged time. Despite the lack of safe spaces, Central Americans have sought and created solidarity with communities that experience erasure, and cultivated friendships. Because women are surviving in a patriarchal, misogynistic, exploitative world only we as women know what we deal with on a daily basis, Hermana Querida, is dedicated to solidarity, friendships, and sisterhood with our trans sisters, femmes, and women.