living in reciprocity with the land -- and each other
“we are
a
reflection
of
the land”
taking care of the earth -- was one of my earliest life lessons.
i have fond memories of my family life in nayarit, mexico. i remember my grandparents making their own
things; herding animals, producing dairy for milk and cheeses, mending their own clothes (one of my aunts
recently learned high couture design and construction just to make her wedding dress !!!) always finding
a way to make it work -- to make things is a labor of love.
these are not just buzzwords for many native peoples. this is the life we lead --
we have always lived in harmony to the land by building a reciprocal relationship and understanding its needs.
we are earth defenders and water protectors because these are our providers.
they give us life so we must breathe life back into them.
to live sustainably, means to be resourceful. its about using with what you already have plus a little imagination.
we can all contribute in our ways and be conscientious about the decisions we make when it comes to caring
(and advocating) for the environment.
in my art practice, repurposing and reclaiming is a part of my process. from materials to presentation,
i strive to use low-cost and environmentally focused resources. the less new the better.
thrifting, foraging, trading and bartering have led me to find unexpected materials and have allowed
me to further my understanding of materiality and how objects have and can transform people and things.
in 2024, i participated in a pilot art fellowship that focused on sustainability in the arts through the city of san jose, california.
this program, a first of its kind in the united states, gave us insight into the environmental challenges and possible solutions
that currently affect our city and the larger bay area. we learned from city officials, university professors, workers in the intersection
of art and environmentalism, and others just interested in the movement -- it was a learning and reflective experience, to see how
others are engaged and invested in sustainable causes and practices.
upon reflection, i was able to shift and diversify my artistic practice to include sustainable education through social
practices. although my primary focus for the program was ceramic arts, i was also able to learn from my peers and alter
facets of my practice outside of ceramics. here are some the changes i have implemented to decrease my carbon footprint
and have a greater visibility as an artist whose work and life is deeply intertwined with land-based practices:
- develop a carbon allowance for my ceramic works
- experiment with non-fired clay works (and alternative firings)
- make a resource directory for ceramic artists
- list co2 emissions as part of my artwork details and ask that galleries keep description as part of my artist contract/agreement
- advocate for increased transparency of ceramic materials (in regards to ceramic supply chains)
- continue research on alternative glazing materials
- workshops and collaborations with other artists/organizations
- share and contribute to discourse in the arts & sustainability through an indigenous perspective
late last year, my partner and i were able to start an intentional coffee bar and gathering space -- coffee bueno -- emphasizing the need for
reciprocity in communal spaces. we operate through a gift-giving economy and implement zero-waste and slow-living principles. in 2025,
we will be in residency with for the mamas, a creative ambassador program organized by jessica gutierrez in the city of san jose, california.
each month, a free workshop is planned for local mothers to have a creative space and community support. coffee bueno will be providing
refreshments for those that donate their time or resources to others in need. to learn more about our efforts follow us at @cofee_____bueno
