Seconded By: Selaru Ovidiu,
For this project I have visited most major and some smaller cities on both sides of the entire 2000 miles long U.S. – Mexico border and photographed about 200 painters, photographers, musicians, writers, dancers, architects and art promoters in order to shine a spotlight on the vibrant cultural activities and cross-border opportunities that exist despite the tremendous challenges in this bi-national region.
I chose artists for my project because they always seem to have a finger on the pulse of their communities, and reflect their status in real time; I believe these artists deserve our attention. I hope my project is adding a positive and humanitarian aspect to the usual negative stories about the border region and the people who live and work there.
LA FRONTERA: Artists Along The US-Mexican Border 01
American photographer peace activist and educator Raechel Running at the border fence in Agua Prieta Mexico with a self made American - Mexican flag
LA FRONTERA: Artists Along The US-Mexican Border 02
Border artist Alonso Delgadillo has painted many murals in and around Tijuana He likes them best when they age and get taken over by nature br
LA FRONTERA: Artists Along The US-Mexican Border 03
Border photographer Tom Kiefer lives in Ajo Arizona near the U S Mexico border br While working as a janitor at a U S Customs and Border Patrol detention center in Ajo Arizona photographer Tom Kiefer collected countless personal belongings that were taken away from undocumented immigrants for security reasons The personal items such as rosaries bibles belts toys toothbrushes toothpaste lighters soap combs flagrance pictures clothing just to name a few would have been thrown away if he hadn t rescued them from garbage bins He archives and photographs them in his studio for exhibitions around the country br
LA FRONTERA: Artists Along The US-Mexican Border 04
Border artist Monica Lozano is a Mexican American photographer born in El Paso Texas and raised across the border in Ciudad Juarez Mexico Her work is inspired by real stories of people s courage determination and strength particularly those who have lived difficult experiences in border towns throughout the world br Ciudad Juarez Chihuahua Mexico
LA FRONTERA: Artists Along The US-Mexican Border 05
Daniel Rosas left is the director of El Field a documentary film about Mexican migrant workers working in Californian fields Alejandro D vila Fragoso middle is the producer Derrick Sparrow left is the co-writer co-editor sound br Mr Rosas and Mr Sparrow are standing at the border fence in Mexicali Mexico while Mr Alejandro Davila is in Calexico on the American side of the border
LA FRONTERA: Artists Along The US-Mexican Border 06
Azzul Monraz is the front singer of Madamme Ur Tijuana Mexico Her music is known on both sides of the border br
LA FRONTERA: Artists Along The US-Mexican Border 07
Painter Rigoberto A Gonzalez with one of his paintings in front of his studio in Harlingen Texas near the US - Mexico border His work often depicts scenes of desperate border crossings and physical abuse committed by various criminals along the border br
LA FRONTERA: Artists Along The US-Mexican Border 08
Berenice Sanchez Morales alias Shawa is the lead singer of the family hard rock band REPTIL which was founded by her father and drummer of the band Alberto Sanchez Perales in Nogales Sonora Mexico br
LA FRONTERA: Artists Along The US-Mexican Border 09
Siki Carpio front woman and founder of the popular band Cristina Creme at her house in Tijuana Baja California Mexico br
LA FRONTERA: Artists Along The US-Mexican Border 10
Artist Pablo Llana at the border fence in Playas de Tijuana with San Diego in the United States behind the border br His work focuses on consumerism obesity and identity The jacket is entirely made from Reese s king size peanut butter cup wrappers
