This week's feature is Michel Flores Tavizón, @michel.flores.tavizon an artist who dabbles in print making, graphic design, and linocut. With the multiple mediums under her belt in use to speak on border life, her identity, and women's issues as show by their work. This is Michel Flores Tavizón.
Michel starts us off by saying "my focus is printmaking, although I am trying to experiment with different mediums. The topics I like to discuss in my art are Mexican culture, self-identity, border/immigration and women’s issues. My style really varies, I think. I’m still on my journey to discover what my style is" when asked about their art/style. I'd say that having a focus is important, but keeping yourself open minded to the numerous mediums can help broaden expression. Who knows what medium Michel plans to tackle next? Especially when it comes to topics such as "Mexican culture, self-identity, border/immigration, and women's issues" they are topics of importance to the artist, but as the viewer it may hit home to them as well especially through our own experiences in these topics. Even looking at their piece "Ni de aquí, ni de allá" which we will bring up later. It is a piece that I can relate to personally as well. That's just the way art can be.
When it comes to Michel's art work does she feel that must be some personal touches before it feels "complete"? As they say "I always try to incorporate the nopal on my pieces that touch the topic of self-identity. It all started with my ¿Con el nopal en la frente? piece. Ever since then, I always try to incorporate the imagery of the nopal because of the symbolism behind it, the Mexican aspect to it. I believe most, if not all, of my self-portraits include nopales somewhere in the piece." When it comes to the "nopal" in her pieces it may represent something to her from what the definition of the phrase means. As someone who struggles with their "Mexican-American" identity I feel that. Being born in Mexico and having a childhood in Mexico more than in the United States its tough. Losing my tongue, losing what I think makes me "Mexican" and being told "trais el nopal en la frente" when I'm just doing my best. It's something that will follow me, but it'll be fine. I'll be my own nopalito.
Michel has also been apart of art exhibitions and with that I wonder on the feedback she receives on her work as she says "All these pieces are somewhat personal, but I do understand that it's something that some people can relate with. With art shows, I have encountered people that relate a lot with my pieces. And it feels nice having people telling me that my piece reflects a feeling or thought they just couldn’t describe it with words." I do understand that it is personal to the artist, but I'm curious on what people say about their work in person. It must be a feeling for sure. Sharing experiences.
Speaking about feedback and relating to artwork what can Michel tell us about "Ni de aquí, ni de allá" and what they wish to express with this piece and get out of the viewer as she explains "I’ve had the idea for this piece for a while now, originally it was going to be an oil painting. The original plan was to depict me sitting on a chair, in front of the border wall with a golden eagle (the one on the Mexican flag) chilling on my left shoulder while a bald eagle (representing the U.S.) is flying towards me preparing to land on my right shoulder. This idea portrays the Americanization process.
When I was taking advanced printmaking class, I needed ideas for my final critique. That semester was during COVID so basically everyone, including me, was too unmotivated to create. During the semester I had done small and simple linocuts just to meet the deadlines but my professor had high expectations, I needed a great final piece. I had a big-ish block of wood laying around waiting for me to use it, it was perfect for this project, I just had to come up with the concept. I remembered the self-portrait with eagles' idea and decided to go with it. When sketching it, I thought of the Two Fridas painting by Frida Kahlo and how it showed duality. I got inspired by Kahlo’s painting and wanted to do my own rendition.
I did this piece as a class assignment; I really didn’t think much about the feedback I would receive from the community until I showcased it on art exhibits. “Ni de aquí ni de allá” reflects the duality of cultures in border towns. I’ve had people tell me how they relate to the piece. It evokes the feeling of not belonging to neither country, but also the feeling of belonging in both at the same time."
I will say that it is a great piece! The message comes across very well. Looking at it in Brownsville at La Chicharra @lachicharrastudio and just standing there looking at it. Really got me thinking about what I usually think about when it comes to my Identity. Being "Mexican-American" Being born in Mexico and having family, a childhood, and my own experiences in Mexico growing up. My parents meeting in Mexico and my dad building the house with his friends in Texas. The first house on the block. From one small room that had the living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom all in one 4 walled space. We had a home, but we also had our home, Mexico. Welcoming us onto her land even though we moved to Texas, but that's not the way others saw it. I wasn't too "Mexican" as I grew older as people told me. Crossing the border I wasn't too "American" coming back from Mexico. That left me in the middle being the "-" in "Mexican-American." Ni de aquí, ni de allá. Thank you for this piece, Michel.
How does Michel wish to grow with their work as the explain "Art is a self-exploratory journey; you learn a lot of yourself while creating. I don’t think you can plan growth. It just happens. I do wish to grow as a person, as an artist, as a designer. And I think I'm getting there, like I'm definitely in a better position than I was last year. I just hope I keep growing and I keep exceeding my own expectations and the quality of my work. I plan to keep practicing in order to get better results and achieve a more polished art style." That's all it is. Keep polishing your art style and you'll see your progress shortly but surely.
From the numerous of mediums Michel has under her belt is there anything she wishes to experiment with? "Yes! Ever since my friend Cecilia told me about cyanotype, I've been wanting to experiment with it. I also want to experiment and explore with printmaking, specifically printing on fabric. I had a teacher that used to do that, so I want to try it on my own. Like go beyond the paper and try different materials to print on as well as find different ways of showcase art, rather than just framing it. I would love to have an installation, so that's definitely one of my long-term goals." This is their journey. From a framed piece of having an installation. They'll work their way there as they sound passionate to get there. It's all about experimentation! Can't stay on the same thing y'know.
Is there any messages Michel would like to spread with their art work? Are there any pieces they have created with a "message" as she says "I do have some pieces that try to raise awareness on certain topics. I have a piece called American Dreams that depicts the Rio Grande River. On the bottom there are crosses, like cemetery crosses, representing the lives that had been lost at the river while trying to cross for a better life. Another meaningful piece is Feminicidio. This piece is about the danger that woman face, especially in Mexico. The possibility of being kidnapped, raped and/or murdered. And on top of that, the victim blaming and not getting any type of justice." As mentioned earlier Michel covers topics based on "Mexican culture, self-identity, border/immigration and women’s issues." Which is something we deal with being by the border. It's real. There isn't day I"m driving next to a border patrol vehicle on my commute to work. As Michel continues by saying "This just are a couple of examples of pieces that try to spread a message. Trying to raise awareness of stuff that's going on that, even though it may not affect you directly, it's still going on, and people should know about it."
Are there any pieces that mean a lot to Michel as they mention " My first two printmaking pieces have a special place in my heart. My first one was called La Frontera, and it's a naked woman in the middle of the border wall. I really like how that piece came out composition-wise and symbolism-wise. I think it was such a strong piece and that was my first time doing a linocut. My second printmaking piece was a reduction woodcut. It was a 4-colorway woodcut. It was for beginner printmaking class, the assignment was to do a psychological self-portrait. So that's how żCon el nopal en la frente? was born. That piece opened a lot of doors for me. I started getting involved in the art community because of that piece."
Take a look at the pieces shared by Michel on the feature and tell us what you.
If you're wondering if Michel is open for commissions well "Yes and no. I am open to do freelance graphic design work, but not necessarily art work. However, I am open to hear proposals and collab with artists. My Instagram is @michel.flores.tavizon and my graphic design account is @mftcreativestudio."
Michel shares their thoughts on the local valley scene,
"I love it. I feel like the art scene is slowly reviving. We used to have art nights in Brownsville, but it kind of died. I really hope the Brownsville community brings it back. But I know the Harlingen art night is going stronger than ever and I love to see that. A lot of artists are supporting each other and you can really tell. I'm really glad to be part of this community. "
Michel's Shout Outs,
Cecilia Sierra @la_sierra_arte
Ruby Garza @lachicharrastudio
Manuel @el_pochx
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