Katelyn Curtis Post 8

        

     PHOTOS IMAGINE TRUMP AS AN IMMIGRANT

Veronica Gabriela Cardenas

By: Katelyn Curtis

            Veronica Gabriela Cardenas is an artist who wanted to tell the story of the United States undocumented immigrants under the Trump Presidency; but also humanizing their experience and expressing their anxieties. She had a lot of resistance and a lot of the people didn't even want to see or touch the mask due to its symbolic meaning and representation. The people that did agree to help, Cardenas made sure to take care to not show any tattoos or markings that could identify the individual; it is also important to point out that not every individual in the photos are undocumented immigrants. Cardenas also traveled to Mexico to have people participate who once dreamed of living in the United States so that their families would have better opportunities for a future. 

[Excerpt]

When Cardenas approached one man with the idea, he responded, “Fuck it, I’m getting deported anyways. I’ll wear it.”

Since making the work, the photographer has had at least one friend tell her to “stay away from politics” and “respect your president.” But A Trump isn’t about disrespect; in fact, the photographer went to great lengths to execute the project in a way that was compassionate and dignified. She knows some people won’t love the work, and she can live with that.

“I wanted to give a voice to those that struggle to be heard,” she says. The concept might be unconventional, but that’s exactly what she’s done.