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Artist Talk: Carolina Corona

CAROLINA CORONA

Works from the Invitational 2016 include La Fuente de la Vida (2015, acrylic on unstretched canvas, 56” x 22” NFS $1750) and El Rugir y el Impacto (2015, acrylic on unstretched canvas, 49” x 24” NFS $1750).

1. Tell us about yourself. Who you are and what you do? What’s your background? How do you identify; is cultural identity at the front of your work/process?

I am a woman who loves to explore nature and my inner self. My culture is colorful, free, and diverse. I was born in Veracruz, Mexico and moved to North Carolina when I was 10 years old. My culture is enriched by traditions from both places but it is also influenced by my family’s values. My culture  does not discriminate, it takes on the colors of nature. My work exemplifies my culture perfectly as a nature and self lover. As a woman I aim to show my strength and passion for life through my paintings as well. I am enriched by the cultures of people around me and the colors I use represent not only my but their cultures also. I am an art teacher. I started teaching high school this year.

2. For decades and particularly during this country’s civil rights movement, many high profile artists of color were expected to represent that struggle in their work. When they did not they were often called out and criticized by peers and movement leaders for not moving the cause forward.  Do you feel it’s your responsibility to promote social change, cultural reflection, race, gender, class issues, etc. in your artwork?

I feel responsible to promote inner love and love for others no matter the background. I embrace diversity and focus on positivity that brings different people together. In my artwork I don’t necessarily represent any particular race – it is more of a combination of cultures. I represent nature which is what bonds us all as humans.

3. What other ways can artists/activists engage the movement outside of developing lyrics, music, images that speaks specifically to the movement?

By promoting love, educating, sharing our cultures, and embracing other cultures. By building meaningful relationships with our peers. I do this as a teacher. I am in a very diverse environment everyday. No student of mine fits the same mold because we are shaped by our environments and we all have different experiences even if we share the same race. My students appreciate my respect for their cultures and they like when I share my own. We find similarities that bring us together and differences that help us grow.

4. Black women have always been an integral part of American civil rights movements, but women have not always received the credit for their work. Which black women do you believe currently embody the spirit of the black women activists of the past?

I believe that women like Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, and Michelle Obama have embodied the spirits of black women activists of the past. They all have attracted an impressively large audience of admirers and followers. They get their message across through many means such as publications and actions. They support equality and fairness for everyone. They are truly inspirational leaders who use their power and popularity to make this a better world.

5. How do artists with less exposure engage in the movement? In what ways could their lack of public exposure work on their behalf?

It might allow them to obtain a larger audience since they are not targeting to attract anyone specifically. It could also be that they can focus on making a change in smaller communities where they are better known.