http://www.carmenlomasgarza.com/index.htmlBiography
Carmen Lomas Garza was born in Kingsville, Texas, in 1948. Inspired by her family, Garza decided to become an artist at the age of 13, and ever since has dedicated herself to creating beautiful and engaging images of special and everyday events in the lives of Mexican Americans based on her memories of her childhood in South Texas. Her narrative works of art depict childhood memories of family and friends in a wide range of activities from making tamales to dancing in a patio to conjunto music. She dedicates her work to creating images that instill recognition and pride in the cultural and historical contributions of Mexican Americans to American society, as well as to educate others.
Tamales
What is going on in this picture?
Do you think this is an everyday scene in the
home where the artist grew up? if not, what visual clues suggest it depicts a special
occasion?
How many different mini-scenes can you find within this painting?
This is a scene from my parent’s kitchen. Everybody is making tamales. My grandfather is wearing blue overalls and a blue shirt.
I’m right next to him with my sister Margie.We’re helping to soak the dried leaves from the corn. My mother is spreading the cornmeal dough on the leaves and my aunt and uncle are spreading
the meat on the dough. My grandmother is lining up the rolled and folded tamales ready for cooking. In some families just the women
make tamales, but in our family everybody helps.
I’m right next to him with my sister Margie.We’re helping to soak the dried leaves from the corn. My mother is spreading the cornmeal dough on the leaves and my aunt and uncle are spreading
the meat on the dough. My grandmother is lining up the rolled and folded tamales ready for cooking. In some families just the women
make tamales, but in our family everybody helps.
Tamales are one of the favorite foods during the Christmas holidays
in Garza’s native Texas and in Mexico.Tamales existed in Mexico well before the Spaniards had discovered the country.The word is believed to have come from the Nahuatl word "tamalii." The cooking ingredients and
method almost certainly comes from the Aztec belief that corn is the source of life.
QUESTIONS:
How does your family celebrate special occasions? What are your family's daily routines?Every child inherits his or her own cultural identity through the everyday routines and special traditions of family life.
Family traditions differ across cultures and regions, and yet they have many things in common.
No comments:
Post a Comment