Soñé una Milpa: A Collaborative Project

A milpa is an intercropping system traditionally used by present day Mayan farmers in Mexico and Central America. Diversity is one of the most important elements used in this kind of crop-growing system. Corn can be grown with beans, squashes and other pumpkins. The project name implies dreaming of place where diversity is celebrated as well as dreaming of a place that was once considered home. 

Soñé una Milpa (I dreamed of a Milpa) is a collaborative art project that acknowledges and celebrates the important, though often hidden experience of Latina immigrant women.  During the summer of 2017, J. Leigh Garcia and I interviewed ten Latina immigrant women from the Madison, WI community. After being invited into these women's homes, Leigh and I were treated to corn-based meals from each woman’s home country while listening to the women share their stories. These meaningful conversations inspired a body of artwork informed by the women's narratives. 

BOSQUEJOS DE UNA MEMORIA

J. Leigh Garcia and Maria Amalia
Screen prints, abaca handmade paper, graphite, color pencil 
11” w x 14” h (unframed)
2017

Using hand-made paper and printmaking processes, Leigh and Maria responded to the women's memories. Their collaborative approach to making the work created a space for critical dialogue surrounding what it means to make art within a social practice. Leigh and Maria hope that Bosquejos de una Memoria (Traces of a Memory) will create interest in stories of immigration, thus inspiring respect for these women and their valuable life journeys. 

For more information visit the project website: