Nation-State Border Constructs: Expressions of Neo-Colonialism Acrylic on canvas 12”x40” By: Omar A. Ramírez Nation-State Border Constructs depicts the militarization of the U.S./Mexican border and the untold number of deaths of unauthorized workers who have attempted to cross it; resulting in mass deaths. Within the border’s construct is a giant spine, which signifies the labor and worker exploitation migrants face once they successfully cross into the U.S. The faces seen on the U.S.-side of the border conveys the wide spectrum view toward the migrants and the other side shows the impending death rattle collected by their bones.   The nation-state constructs of jus soli (“right of the soil/territory”) and jus sanguinis (“right of blood”) continue to impede on peoples lives with dire consequences. This is illustrated by deportation cases such as Elvira Arellano, who was seperated and deported away from her U.S. born son and Victoria Arellano (1984-2007) who, under the custody of ICE, was repeatedly denied medication and died from complications of AIDS.  As an HIV+ trans of color undocumented immigrant, Victoria Arellano defied nation-state border/gender-specific constructs and layed her body to rest in multiple localities. These realities are a part of the muli-layers of oppression toward people of color. Copyright © 2010-2011 im:arte. All content and artworks is prohibited to be copied, reproduced or used in any form without the consent of im:arte and/or artist.

Nation-State Border Constructs: Expressions of Neo-Colonialism

Acrylic on canvas

12”x40”

By: Omar A. Ramírez

Nation-State Border Constructs depicts the militarization of the U.S./Mexican border and the untold number of deaths of unauthorized workers who have attempted to cross it; resulting in mass deaths. Within the border’s construct is a giant spine, which signifies the labor and worker exploitation migrants face once they successfully cross into the U.S. The faces seen on the U.S.-side of the border conveys the wide spectrum view toward the migrants and the other side shows the impending death rattle collected by their bones. 

 The nation-state constructs of jus soli (“right of the soil/territory”) and jus sanguinis (“right of blood”) continue to impede on peoples lives with dire consequences. This is illustrated by deportation cases such as Elvira Arellano, who was seperated and deported away from her U.S. born son and Victoria Arellano (1984-2007) who, under the custody of ICE, was repeatedly denied medication and died from complications of AIDS.  As an HIV+ trans of color undocumented immigrant, Victoria Arellano defied nation-state border/gender-specific constructs and layed her body to rest in multiple localities. These realities are a part of the muli-layers of oppression toward people of color.

Copyright © 2010-2011 im:arte. All content and artworks is prohibited to be copied, reproduced or used in any form without the consent of im:arte and/or artist.

Posted 10 months ago
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