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Izquierda, which means “left” in Spanish, is a self-portrait about identity, belonging, and where I feel most at home. I am left-handed, and throughout my life, my left side has always felt more dominant, more capable, and more instinctive. I use this physical experience as a metaphor for my cultural identity. Although I was born in the United States, I feel deeply connected to México, its culture, and my family’s roots. The composition moves from México to Jalisco, then to the United States and California. The darker paintings represent the countries, while the lighter paintings represent the states within their respective regions. This movement reflects the layered nature of my identity and the ways these places exist within me simultaneously.

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At the same time, Izquierda speaks to the feeling of being left out. In the United States, I have often felt as though I am positioned on the outside, as if I am expected to choose one identity over another in order to belong. But I refuse that choice. I belong to both México and the United States, even when that belonging is questioned or made uncomfortable by others. For me, however, there is a part of my identity that will always gravitate toward México first, the culture, the language, the traditions, and the roots that connect me to my family and my ancestors.