This portrait commemorates the life of my cousin Lorena, who passed away at the age of 17 in 2017. In this piece, I depict a moment from our childhood—Lorena lovingly embracing me as a baby. 

 

Lorena loved Hawaiian dances, and I honored that by incorporating vibrant patterns inspired by Hawaiian textiles. The white flower in her hair is a nod to her passion, while the marigolds—cempasúchil—symbolize Día de los Muertos, a reminder of how we keep our loved ones alive in memory.

 

The rich tapestry enveloping us contains elements filled with personal meaning. Teal, one of her favorite colors, flows throughout the composition. In the lower right corner, above my signature, a tiny ambulance appears—symbolizing the tragic way we lost her. Lorena died at school in Mexico, where delayed emergency response failed to save her. This detail honors her story and critiques the broken system that let her down.

 

Among the woven designs is the Tree of Life, representing fate and the cycles beyond our control. On her sweater, the faint image of a bone reminds us not of death, but of unity—at our core, we are all the same. This motif runs through much of my work: the universality of our humanity.

 

This painting is not just a portrait—it’s an altar, a protest, and a love letter. It’s my way of keeping Lorena close, of speaking her name, and of saying she mattered.