The delicate nature of papel picados allows the paper to flow in the wind when strung on a string, yet maintaining its structural integrity. Like a kite, the traditional Mexican art of papel picado-making travels where the people take it. Using this form of art is a metaphor for the depths of emotional intimacy and delicateness that men could reach when they give themselves the space and surround themselves with those with open mindsets.

The installation Te Amo, Joto reclaims my coming out story, exploring intersections with Catholicism and machismo culture. The word “joto” is typically used as an insult towards gay men in Spanish-speaking communities, and sometimes I would hear it growing up. By reclaiming it in the title, I challenge its use as a slur. Each design in the work critiques and appreciates the religious and social norms regarding identity. For example, one papel picado design features two hands that belong to gay men mimicking swans in a body of water bowing towards a heart. This heart, inspired by the Sacred Heart of Jesus, symbolizes intimacy and vulnerability. I contrast religious iconography and LGBTQ+ imagery that honors queer existence within traditions that have often excluded it. Moreover, the bright colors are an ode to the phrase “I’m here, and I’m queer!” popularized during the 1990s LGBTQ+ rights movement.

These elements reflect my journey with finding my place in traditions and invite viewers to think about similar experiences. I want people struggling with their identities to know they are appreciated and have a community supporting them. This installation is for the voices silenced by societal structures, such as heteronormativity, and celebrates the possibility of a thriving existence.