ILGWU Local 180

ILGWU Local 180

21 x 17 x 3 inches

fabric, lace, pins, paper

2018

In 1959, in San Antonio, Texas the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union - Local 180 organized a strike against the Tex-Son garment factory demanding a living wage increase. Strikers faced violent opposition at the hands of the Tex-Son Company and police. This included intimidation, physical force, and arrests. Union members, a majority of whom where Mexican-American women, used creative tactics to earn the support of San Antonio which was traditionally known for its anti-union sentiment. Some of these tactics were to fashion themselves in attire that was deemed “ladylike” and use rhetoric that was centered around their roles as mothers. 

San Antonio born Sophie Gonzales was instrumental in this garment strike and was the first Mexican-American woman organizer in the history of Texas for ILGWU. This strike, that lasted from 1959 to 1963, was the beginning of her 35 years of dedication to labor union organizing in Texas. This work pays homage to the tenacity of Gonzales and her sister strikers. 

Life and Death in the Garden

It has been a struggle lately to force my artwork into rectangles that hang flat on a wall. I feel a strong pull to create bodies that stand on their own. As I reflect on this, rethink previous boundaries, and open myself up to new ideas, I am also clearing out my garden to prepare for new growth. Spring cleaning all around! And right on cue, the garden provides (like always). As I cleared out old dead plant matter, these two forms emerged. I plan to experiment with them as the skeletons for sculptural work. I'm looking forward to a new direction.

philodendron trunk and roots

Texas bleeding heart vine and roots

Common Currents

I was invited to participate in the Common Currents exhibition at the Carver Community Cultural Center opening this Thursday, March 15th. Join us at the opening reception from 6-8pm. Please read below for more information about Common Currents.

Opening reception for Common Currents: 1918-1967 is an official San Antonio Tricentennial event. Opening night events will include visual art and performance works in the Jo Long Theatre. 


ABOUT COMMON CURRENTS
In celebration of San Antonio’s Tricentennial year, six downtown artist-centric organizations: Artpace San Antonio, Blue Star Contemporary, Carver Community Cultural Center, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, the Mexican Cultural Institute, and Southwest School of Art, will partner to present an exhibition that will illuminate the 300 years of their hometown’s history. Common Currents is a diverse, encyclopedic showcase of San Antonio’s history as told and rewritten by more than 300 visual and performing artists, invited to participate by their peers, and presented over 6 venues.

Drawing on the connections or currents that run through San Antonio’s vibrant creative community, each of the organizing partners began by inviting two artists. These initial 12 artists were then asked to invite two peer artists, until more than 300 were amassed. All of the participating artists were assigned one year of San Antonio’s history on which to reflect in the development of their work for Common Currents. This exhibition is presented chronologically through a variety of contemporary media across the six venues.

Common Currents draws a portrait of San Antonio, by San Antonians. With the “chain letter-inspired” framework for the exhibition, each organization takes a backseat, letting the participating artists make decisions that may traditionally be the role of the organization or curator. This provides for an exciting presentation of artistic connections spanning our center city’s art venues. More information at commoncurrents.org



Please click on the link below for the Facebook event page.

Common Currents Opening Reception at the Carver Community Cultural Center

I was assigned the year 1959. The mixed textiles piece I have created focuses on the Tex-Son garment factory strike organized by Sophie Gonzales and the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union - Local 180 in San Antonio, Texas. 

This photograph of Gonzales accompanied an article about the strike in the San Antonio Light newspaper in 1959. Factory workers who opposed the strike threw dolls that resembled strikers at picket lines in an attempt at intimidation.

I created a portrait of Gonzales using bits and pieces of women's clothing and other sewing materials including pins and paper patterns. I look forward to sharing the final product as a part of this exhibition.