April Bey, Blanca 1996, 2020
April Bey, Blanca 1996, 2020
April Bey
Blanca 1996, 2020
Serigraph, Ed. of 60
26”x20”
Blanca 1996 is part of the Make It Count, Census themed-atelier. It depicts a portrait of Blanca Maldonado, a DACA student (Dreamer) with the body from an ad in which a white woman appropriates the fashion of Frida Kahlo.
The expression, "I will not be assimilated" comes from the series Star Trek, where the alien species called The Borg (part humanoid and part computer) invade worlds and assimilate the people into their collective, thereby erasing all culture and individuality. Right before The Borg destroys a civilization, they announce their presence by saying, "We are the Borg, you will be assimilated."
The work is a defiant stance against feeling vulnerable due to society and oppressive laws that dictate who is worthy of being counted or not.
Make it Count
Los Angeles-based artists April Bey, Martha Carrillo, and Phung Huynh were invited to produce original, limited-edition serigraphs for an atelier focused on communicating a positive message and the importance of participating in the 2020 Census. With creative liberty and guided by the spirit of expanding awareness of systems in place, this print portfolio is a documentation of time, a platform for empowerment, and a source of knowledge for people across Los Angeles County. These three prints are part of SHG’s Census campaign. #makeitcount #haztecontar