Narrative by Stephany Sanchez:
“Echemos Abajo El Capitalismo" is a piece inspired by my research pertaining to printmaking and its connection to labor strikes and unions during the industrialization of Mexico and the Mexican Revolution. This specific screen print focuses on the strikes led by textile women workers who were forced to work for 15 hours straight without breaks. According to my readings in "Radicals in el Barrio" by Jason Akers, five women showed solidarity with the textile workers during the strike by collecting dry bread and tortillas, hiding them under their rebosos. Later on, during the strike, they used these items to throw at the police or any opposition attempting to break the strike. The names of these incredible women are Anselma Sierra, Carmen Cruz, Margarita Martinez, and Maria L. I consider the bread and tortillas both sacred and symbolic of food accessibility, as well as weapons passed down by our ancestors, which we still enjoy today.
My interest in printmaking originated from my frequent visits to Oaxaca every summer, which coincided with a surge in political printmaking following the APPO protests in 2006. I vividly recall walking through the streets of Oaxaca and being captivated by the graphic and intricate woodcut prints being produced. This experience ignited a passion for printmaking that has since greatly influenced both my artistic work and my research on the intersection of printmaking and politics. In some instances, I utilize printmaking as a means to retell historical or current events, while in other cases, it serves as a catalyst for an entirely new artistic process.
The creation of "Echemos Abajo el Capitalismo" involved a tedious and multi-step process. Firstly, I sketched out the design, then transferred it onto a linoleum surface and carefully carved it. Next, the print underwent a printing process through the press. Subsequently, I scanned the print, converted it into a vector format, and added color. Finally, the print went through the screen printing process, which included exact color matching. I am immensely grateful to Taller Arte Del Nuevo Amanecer (TANA) for their invaluable assistance in the screen printing of these works.
Also available, one of each print by Stephany Sanchez exclusively available at our Gallery. Embossed watermark, signed and numbered.
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