ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: August 2025

Amalia Mesa Bains is an artist and cultural critic who has worked to define Chicano and Latino art in the United States and Latin America. She is best known for her large-scale installations and innovative interpretations of traditional Chicano altars and ofrendas.

Her work deeply investigates the spiritual practices of Mexican American women while also addressing the complex histories of colonialism and imperialism. It emphasizes the recovery of cultural memory and its crucial role in shaping identity. Moreover, Mesa Bains employs diverse aesthetic strategies to articulate experiences historically linked to Mexican American women, serving as a vital platform for Chicana feminist reclamation. She was born in Santa Clara, California.

 Amalia Mesa Bains on Instagram at @dr_amalia_says. Additionally, visit her website for upcoming events and recent exhibitions.