When The Met began planning how to celebrate Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, discussions soon turned to naming conventions. What label is inclusive yet nuanced enough to encompass the range of cultures that have origins or ties to Spanish-speaking countries? Hispanic? Latino, Latine, or Latinx? While we cannot synthesize Hispanic/Latinx culture into one label or experience, we can gain insight into the ways it shapes individuals’ identity and experiences with the world around them.
Here, we've asked four contemporary artists to speak about how their cultural background impacts and is reflected in their work. Their responses touch on a variety of themes, from colonialism and immigration, to the nuances of race, bodies, and the appropriation of narratives. Each artist provides a glimpse into their lives, their experiences, and their art.
