Suzy González
Lives and works in San Antonio, TX, USA
Artist statement
Plantcestors Statement: Plants sustained our ancestors and they continue to sustain us—through food, medicine, clothing, housing, to providing the very oxygen we breathe. Every plant is sacred and we could not survive without them. The first iteration of this series depicts the portraits of 14 artists, activists, and culture workers based in Yanaguana / San Antonio, TX that bring inspiration to the community through their art, leadership, and social justice work. Within each painted portrait are natural plant materials that the person is connected to. The plants hold meaning based on ancestral connections, childhood memories, cultural roots, or the lessons that they bring. Some enjoy the plants in their gardens, herbal practices, spirituality, as food, or for their beauty alone. As we connect with our relative that is the land, we remember, we appreciate, and we reciprocate the gifts that she gives us. The process of creating these works included photography, discussion, gardening, foraging, pressing, dehydrating, gluing, resining layers, and finally, painting. The figures sit on the surface, in the present. Their Plantcestors are behind them but remain a part of them. Included are portraits of Karla Aguilar, Isabel Ann Castro, Jennifer Ling Datchuk, Kaldric Dow, Kimiya Denise Factory, Anthony Francis, Barbie Hurtado, Diana Lopez, Yadhira Lozano, Mikey Menchaca, Cassandra Parker-Nowicki, Vanessa Quezada, Mary Agnes Rodriguez, and Daisy Salinas. Thanks to each and every one...
Artwork
- Anthony, 2023. Dandelions, Stickyweeds, oil paint, resin on panel
- Barbie, 2023. Fig leaves, Estafiate, resin, and oil paint on panel
- Cassandra, 2023. Oak leaves, Honeysuckle flowers, Acorns, Pinecone pieces, resin, and oil paint on panel
- Daisy, 2023. Black beans, Red Beans, Bean pods, oil paint, resin on panel
- Diana, 2023. Pecans from Diana’s family’s land, Mesquite pods, Pericón, oil paint, resin on panel
- Isabel, 2023. Mesquite and Pecan branches and leaves from Isabel’s family’s land, resin, and oil paint on panel
- Jennifer, 2023. Dracena fragrans, Jade, Orange, Lemon, Lime, resin, and oil paint on panel
- Kaldric, 2023. Succulents, Ball moss, oil paint, resin on panel
- Karla, 2023. Deer corn, Corn stalk with tassels, Corn husk, resin, and oil paint on panel
- Kimiya, 2023. Bamboo, Baby’s Breath, Monstera, oil paint, resin on panel
- Mary, 2023. Rosemary, Manzanilla, Mammoth sunflower seeds, oil paint, resin on panel
- Mikey, 2023. Holy basil, Passion Flower, Nag Champa, oil paint, resin on panel
- Vanessa, 2023. Cenizo, Juniper leaves and berries, Copal, resin, and oil paint on panel
- Yadhira, 2023. Sunflowers, Roses and Nopal skeletons from Yadhira’s garden, oil paint, resin on panel
- Self-Care, 2021. dyed corn husks and acrylic on canvas
- 2020 Vision, 2021. dyed corn husks and acrlyic on canvas
- Mutual Aid of the Earth, 2021. acrylic, corn husks, corn, beans, squash seeds, leaves from the artist's garden, and resin on panel
- Precipitate (Rain), 2020. Acrylic, dyed corn husks, and oil on canvas
- Evaporate (Sun), 2020. Acrylic, corn husks, and oil on canvas
- Condense (Cloud), 2020. Acrylic, dyed corn husks, and oil on canvas
- What the World Needs Now, 2019. acrylic and dyed corn husks on canvas
- Lookout, 2019. acrylic and dyed corn husks on canvas
- Three Sisters, 2018. acrylic on canvas
- Reaching, 2018. dyed corn husks on canvas
- Hand Over Heart, 2019. corn husks, acrylic, and oil on canvas
- Warming, 2019. corn husks, acry
- Float, 2019. corn husks and acrylic on canvas