La zapatista [The Zapatista]

Juan Fuentes grew up in a large family of rural laborers in California and emerged as an artist during the Chicano Art Movement, maintaining a long-standing dedication to social justice in his artistic practice. He explained, “My art and social activism stems from my strong conviction that art is needed to make social change a possibility, to help heal the injustices faced by people of color around the world.” Chicano artists have often cited revolutionary figures in their art who inspired their quest for justice. In this case, Fuentes portrays a female member of the Mexican Zapatista group that emerged in Chiapas in 1994 to defend the rights of Indigenous rural peoples. Named after Emiliano Zapata, a leader of the Mexican Revolution (1910-20), contemporary Zapatistas relied mostly on strategies of civil resistance. Their ranks included both men and women, who often covered their faces, concealing their identities to protect themselves and their families. Fuentes portrays his subject in a dignified manner, with careful attention to detail. While the figure is standing still and focusing her gaze on the viewer, she is surrounded by a swirling array of beautiful patterns.