Juana Estrada
Juana Estrada
Bio: Juana Estrada Hernandez was born in Luis Moya, Zacatecas, Mexico and moved to the United States when she was seven years old. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. She is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Estrada Hernandez is a recipient of the Southern Graphic Council International Graduate Fellowship Award, SITE Scholars Award, Center of Fine Arts Dean Travel Award, UNM Student Conference Award Program, Ralph W. Douglas Endowed Memorial Scholarship, and amongst others. As a printmaking artist, Estrada Hernandez utilizes her experiences growing up in the United State as a young undocumented immigrant to create work that addresses social and political problems surrounding Hispanic migrant communities. Her creative practice stems from her love of drawing, Mexican folklore, Hispanic culture, and her family’s migration stories.
Artist Statement: My artwork deals with social and political problems surrounding the DACA community along with the inherent negative identity stigma of undocumented immigrants. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is an administrative relief from deportation along with providing work permits for those who arrived illegally as minors. I believe that anti-immigrant sentiments prevail in many parts of the country due to lack of insight on the realities of being labeled an “illegal immigrant”. I immigrated to the United States at the age of seven with my family from Zacatecas, Mexico. My early childhood experiences growing up in the United States as a young immigrant served as inspiration for this current work. My art practice stems from my love of drawing, my Hispanic culture, Mexican folklore, and my family’s migration stories. My motivation has always been to raise awareness about immigrants and their realities. These prints attempt to emotionally impact people in ways that invoke independent thought and understanding for those that used to live in the shadows.