Thank you to Empowerment Congress of Doña Ana County for giving me this amazing opportunity to work with students from Anthony, NM, through the DescolonizArte fund. And much thanks to their youth coordinator, Celina, for everything. As a group, we established el Colectivo Justicia Girasol. These young learners wanted to learn about social justice through a frontera lens. All of our “classes” took place online, and they were asked to create their own authentic pieces of art-all for public display. Some of the students wanted to address the murder of Vanessa Guillén, but they were allowed to paint whatever they wanted. I guided them virtually and it was such a good experience. It wasn’t easy since covid didn’t allow us to meet face-to-face but we got it done!
My particular piece is of Góyą́ń – a legendary Chiricahua Apache who fought alongside with Geronimo within the borderlands including Chihuahua, New Mexico and Arizona. She was known for her bravery when she avenged her husband’s death by seducing and killing his murderer. Mujer Chingona.
Justicia Girasol
José P. Montoya 