Los Caminos De La Vida

Role: Artwork Designer

Tools: Adobe Illustrator & Adobe Photoshop

Project Brief
Create an environmental sculpture that evokes happiness and sadness at the same time.

Artist Statement
This sculpture represents a symbol in Mexican culture that brings joy, nostalgia, and even dread. The street vendor cart is one of the many paths in life that most immigrants end up taking. For many, it’s the only way they can provide, selling ice cream, chips, and corn. It’s not always enough. They do not harm the country and bring joy to the community, but they have been targeted for simply not being from here.

The monarch butterflies represent that journey, migrating from the south and crossing into the U.S., a symbol of hope and resilience.

Research
My research included looking at vendor carts, as well as using my own personal memory from my experience. I researched symbols that advocate for immigrants, such as monarch butterflies.

Process
I started by creating the graphics of the food in Adobe Illustrator and making them more cartoonish rather than realistic, as most cart vendors used to have illustrated artwork on their carts. I created all three sides simultaneously to have it perfectly wrap around the cart after printing. I applied textures to make it look vintage and old in Adobe Photoshop. It was printed on Phototex adhesive fabric, then applied to the cart.

Reflection
Through this project, I learned the process of creating artwork for a sculpture and seeing what adjustments I needed to make before printing. This was a collaboration with my friends who sculpted the cart together, and they asked me to do the artwork and writing for this project.

Credits
Sculpture by Carlos Beristain & Jared Martinez

Artwork by Miguel Corpus