Self portrait

Autorretrato

Hand-embroidered self-portrait. I placed a corn on the cob and a cactus over my shoulders to symbolize my campesino roots. I grew up running around through the corn fields with my cousins the smell of the husk burning in the fire while the corn would roast and be ready for us to eat. I helped the woman in my family remove the thorns from the cactus so we could grill it and prepare dinner. Maiz and Nopales have given us life, and carrying those memories and lifestyle with me to share with my children has given me strength and pride in my identity. The rose and thorns on my face symbolize the beauty in finding my identity in my culture, and the blood drips represent a part of me that considered itself tainted because, for years, I was in a marriage with a man who made me feel shame for coming from a humble upbringing. Loving every part of me has come from knowing that the beauty in my identity comes from these campesino roots.

Creator: Sandra Ramos

Area: Houston / Downtown

Contributor: Sandra Ramos

Source: Sandra Ramos

Source: https://www.instagram.com/tainted.stitches

Related: https://www.instagram.com/tainted.stitches

Uploaded by: Justin Patera

Copyright status: In copyright

Center for Mexican American Studies

Crocheted Heart

Corazón en crochet

I crocheted this heart and placed it in a clay cantarito that I broke myself to represent that healing can take place through our roots and culture. I put the corn in the cantaro to represent the rebirth of a new version of myself and letting go of my past, and the roses also symbolize life and growth. The rose thorns on the heart and the edge of the cantaro represent that I'm still very guarded and my healing journey isn't over. The clay flowers and cactus represent the generations of my artisanal roots and the campesino lifestyle.

Creator: Sandra Ramos

Area: Houston / Downtown

Contributor: Sandra Ramos

Source: Sandra Ramos

Source: https://www.instagram.com/tainted.stitches

Related: https://www.instagram.com/tainted.stitches

Uploaded by: Justin Patera

Copyright status: In copyright

Center for Mexican American Studies

Embroidered Heart

Corazón bordado

Hand-embroidered heart pin wrapped around thorns to symbolize a wounded heart and beads to emphasize the arteries.

Creator: Sandra Ramos

Area: Houston / Downtown

Contributor: Sandra Ramos

Source: Sandra Ramos

Source: https://www.instagram.com/tainted.stitches

Related: https://www.instagram.com/tainted.stitches

Uploaded by: Justin Patera

Copyright status: In copyright

Center for Mexican American Studies

¿Quieres un Panecito?

¿Quieres un Panecito?

I have experienced so much joy and love surrounded by family on a table adorned with many types of pan dulce and a cup of coffee. Nothing yells out bonding time to me more than a plate full of pan dulce.

Creator: Sandra Ramos

Area: Houston / Downtown

Contributor: Sandra Ramos

Source: Sandra Ramos

Source: https://www.instagram.com/tainted.stitches

Related: https://www.instagram.com/tainted.stitches

Uploaded by: Justin Patera

Copyright status: In copyright

Center for Mexican American Studies