Gloria Anzaldúa, a Chicana feminist theorist, emphasized the dangers of rigidity in her influential manifesto Borderlands/La Frontera. Anzaldúa introduced the concept of a new mestiza consciousness, advocating for embracing ambiguity and moving towards a perspective that includes rather than excludes.
Published in 1987, Anzaldúa’s work challenged traditional notions of identity by highlighting its fluidity and the influence of intersecting factors such as gender, sexuality, and culture. This groundbreaking theory paved the way for the development of fields like ecofeminism, which draws connections between the oppression of women and the exploitation of nature.
Hilda Palafox, a Mexican artist, explores these ideas in her exhibition De Tierra y Susurros (Of Soil and Whispers). Through oil paintings on linen and carved cantera reliefs, Palafox delves into the spiritual connection between women and nature, inviting viewers to reconnect with their environment. Palafox explains, “For me, the point where two lines meet lies precisely there: in the conscious decision to pause, to listen, and to pay closer attention.”
Many of Palafox’s paintings capture moments of tenderness and care. In “Origen,” two figures cradle a sapling in the fetal position, while “Presagio” shows small yellow butterflies emerging between two women, symbolizing the interconnectedness of humanity and nature. The presence of a butterfly landing on a chain-link fence serves as a metaphor for the rigid systems that Anzaldúa opposed.
Palafox’s interest in the relationship between bodies and experiences is evident in her earlier works, where she played with scale and proportion. In De Tierra y Susurros, she expands on this theme by incorporating ecological elements, using Earth tones and expansive landscapes to underscore the interconnectedness of humanity and nature. Her Portrals series further explores this theme through ambiguous intersections of figures and flora.
De Tierra y Susurros is currently on display at Sean Kelly, New York until February 21. To stay updated on Palafox’s work, follow her on Instagram.
