Meet Carolina Yáñez | Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carolina Yáñez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carolina, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I’m inspired by the relentless survival of Mexican culture in Texas. For decades, centuries even, Mexican people within Texas, or Tejanos, have been erased or pushed out, even today. I’ve lived in Texas all my life, and I love it with my whole heart. My background is so important to the work I make, it’s wonderful to see so many contemporary Latine artists in Dallas, and in the rest of Texas, make artwork about their heritage and history.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The artwork I’m currently making is about my experience being Mexican American and Tejano in a predominantly white centered state. I started taking my photography more seriously when I was pursuing my BFA at the University of Houston. Now I’m approaching my second year in my MFA program, and I’m beginning to learn other processes like sewing, ceramics, and sculpture. My work spans from my experiences being a girl in the digital age, as well as my experiences as a Tejana when it comes to ideas of place, home, and cultural practices.

Historically, the art world is very white centered, but it’s expanding more and more and it’s important to see diversity and representation in museums and galleries. And it really inspires me to tell my own story.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love going to the art institutions I mentioned. As well as the Meadows Museum, the Texas Theatre, Dallas Contemporary, and the DMA.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Institutions like the Latino Cultural Center, Oak Cliff Cultural Center, Bathhouse Cultural Center in Dallas, and the Mexic-Arte museum (Austin) are great places committed to art and diversity.

A great book to read about Mexican history in Texas is “The Injustice Never Leaves You: Anti Mexican Violence in Texas” by Monica Muñoz Martinez.

Website: carolinayanez.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/cyanezzz

Image Credits
All images are from the artist.