Taking Up Space (2024) is a photo collage which includes my friends Sarahi Jimenez, Karina Gudino, and Vanessa Gudino. The composition fills the space with repeated images of them standing with their backs turned, showcasing their long, braided hair. This visual repetition asserts their presence, symbolizing strength, resilience, and the unapologetic occupation of space as Mexican American women.

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     The artwork serves as a tribute to our Chicana identity, honoring our Mexican and Indigenous heritage, traditions, and ancestral connections. By incorporating elements such as braided hair—an emblem of cultural continuity and sisterhood—I celebrate the bonds of friendship and shared history that unite us.

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     This work stands as a declaration that we belong. By filling my digital canvas with images of my friends, I emphasize their right to take up space and tell their stories with dignity and respect. This image challenges the erasure of our presence and reinforces the importance of representation, particularly for communities in the Central Valley where cultural identity is often overlooked or diminished.

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     My intention is to continue this dialogue, ensuring that our heritage and narratives persist—not just as memories, but as a living, evolving testament to who we are.