Suzy González: Decolonizing Art Mediums
An artist dedicated to the decolonization of consumption and art creation through the lessons that the earth has to teach us.
By Museo Eduardo Carrillo
Curation by Nicole Rudolph-Vallerga with funding from the Arts Council Santa Cruz County Create Grant
Suzy González (She/They) is an artist, writer, curator, and organizer based in San Antonio, TX. González uses “Mestizx Media” in her art which she describes as the practice of using multiple types of media that originate from the regions of one’s ancestors.
Suzy Gonzalez is one of the two artists featured in the 2023 Museo Eduardo Carrillo online exhibit Decolonizing the Artist: Indigenous Mexican identity in the Art of Suzy González and Sage Alucero.
For myself, in embodying a neo-Mestiza/Xicana identity, I recognize where my art materials originate. While acrylic paints have Mexican origins, oil paints have European origins, and materials like the corn husk have Indigenous origins. I relate each material to a part of my identity and recognize when they stay separate or are mixed. This material analysis speaks to gendered ideas of nature and culture as well as the dichotomy of craft/folk art and ‘fine art.’
—Suzy González
Interview with Artist Suzy González (2023) by Nicole Rudolph-Vallerga and Suzy GonzálezMuseo Eduardo Carrillo
Suzy González on identity within her art
Three Sisters (2018) by Suzy GonzálezMuseo Eduardo Carrillo
Three Sisters, 2018
The “Three Sisters” planting method is an indigenous farming practice that utilizes a plot of earth to its fullest. Corn, beans, and squash are planted together, and the three plants support each other as well as put nutrients back into the soil for future growth.
González shows the three sisters embracing in human form, holding each other’s hearts in a demonstration of how we as humans can support each other in the same way. This piece showcases González's strong belief in allowing the natural world to teach and guide us.
Interview with Artist Suzy González (2023) by Nicole Rudolph-Vallerga and Suzy GonzálezMuseo Eduardo Carrillo
González discusses "The Three Sisters"
Mutual Aid of the Earth (2021) by Suzy GonzálezMuseo Eduardo Carrillo
Mutual Aid of the Earth, 2021
Created during the Covid pandemic, Mutual Aid of the Earth emphasizes our need for connection in difficult times. In addition to corn husks, González worked with calabasa (pumpkin) seeds and leaves from her own garden.
Interview with Artist Suzy González (2023) by Nicole Rudolph-Vallerga and Suzy GonzálezMuseo Eduardo Carrillo
González on "Mutual Aid of the Earth"
The diptych of Home Again and Nature Nurtures feature two people in contemporary poses completely covered in brightly dyed corn husks, only their hands and feet remain visible.
Home Again, 2019
González’s use of corn husks (hoja de maíz) to represent the skin of her figures goes back to the Mesoamerican belief that humans were created from maíz.
Nature Nurtures, 2019
This visual cue ties the figures not only to a people and history, but to the importance of the relationship we have with our food.
Interview with Artist Suzy González (2023) by Nicole Rudolph-Vallerga and Suzy GonzálezMuseo Eduardo Carrillo
González on Decolonizing Art Mediums
Reaching (2018) by Suzy GonzálezMuseo Eduardo Carrillo
Reaching, 2018
As the figure reaches through the brightly dyed corn husk profiles, they are also reaching through the many versions of self and identity to find a deeper truth and connection.
This piece illustrates the importance of understanding oneself before we can truly connect with others. That we must metaphorically reach through and move past our own personal biases and cultural histories before we can touch what is beyond.
Interview with Artist Suzy González (2023) by Nicole Rudolph-Vallerga and Suzy GonzálezMuseo Eduardo Carrillo
González on "Reaching"
What the World Needs Now (2019) by Suzy GonzálezMuseo Eduardo Carrillo
What the World Needs Now, 2019
Made during the heart of intense political and global turmoil, González conveys the message that what we need is understanding, communication, and love for each other despite our contrasting differences.
Interview with Artist Suzy González (2023) by Nicole Rudolph-Vallerga and Suzy GonzálezMuseo Eduardo Carrillo
González on "What the World Needs Now"
Self-Care (2021) by Suzy GonzálezMuseo Eduardo Carrillo
Self-Care, 2021
In a similar vein is the piece Self Care which communicates the importance of self love even when at odds with oneself.
In the pieces Float, Hand Over Heart, and Warming Gonzalez has expanded her use of corn husks from the body to cover the entirety of the canvas. This action extends the self into the outside world and how we experience it through our sense of identity and culture. The texture of the corn husks brings us back to our origins expressing our connection to the past and to nature
"(This) triptych personifies the cyclical nature of water and our human relationship to the elements. It reflects waves of emotion, growth, and change that each person goes through in a day, a year, or a lifetime. The sun shines on the earth, evaporating bodies of water, and this might reflect nourishment or renewal. Finally, the water becomes so heavy that rainfall occurs through precipitation, signifying grief, release, or even joy. And then the process repeats."
- Suzy González
Precipitate (Rain), 2020
In these pieces the artist reflects on the dangerous climate changes that have occurred due to our views of being outside of nature and not a part of it.
Evaporate (Sun), 2020
Made during a time of great civil unrest and a global pandemic, González found herself thinking about plant medicine, mental health, body awareness, and the continuous violence against people of color.
Condense (Cloud), 2020
“We are not separate from nature. What lessons have we forgotten that she has to teach us? It’s time we make ambitious moves towards compassion and healing in this world of destruction."
Karla, 2023
González continues her work with Mestiza Media in her series “Plantcestors” where she depicts 14 artists, activists, and culture workers from her community using plant material that each person is connected to.
Interview with Artist Suzy González (2023) by Nicole Rudolph-Vallerga and Suzy GonzálezMuseo Eduardo Carrillo
González's new series "Plantcestors"
Suzy Gonzalez is one of the two artists featured in the 2023 Museo Eduardo Carrillo online exhibit Decolonizing the Artist: Indigenous Mexican identity in the Art of Suzy González and Sage Alucero as curated by Nicole Rudolph-Vallerga.
To to know more about the artist please go to her website:
https://suzygonzalez.com/home.html
Or follow on instagram:https://www.instagram.com/soozgonzalez/
Decolonizing the Artist: Indigenous Mexican identity in the Art of Suzy González and Sage Alucero is supported by the Arts Council of Santa Cruz County through the 2023 Create Grant
Photos Courtesy of the Artist
Writing and Curation by Nicole Rudolph-Vallerga, 2022-23 Guest Curatorial Intern for Museo Eduardo Carrillo
https://nicolerudolphart.wixsite.com/home
