Biography

Mayte Escobar is a first generation born Mexican American. She received a Bachelors of Arts in Art (Studio) and Art History from the University of California, Riverside.  She holds a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Studio Art & Design from California State University, San Bernardino. Escobar has exhibited work throughout Southern California and Mexico. She considers herself a U.S.A/Mexico Border artist. Escobar has worked with photography since the age of 5 and became increasingly active in black and white film and digital photography during her teen years. This led to a path in the visual arts. Recently, she has focused on her Mexican American identity and the process of intentionally breaking itapart through the lens of history, experience, and the Mexico-United States Border. Escobar’s work includes silver gelatin prints, inkjet prints,documented performances, video, installation, ceramics, and mixed media. 

Artist Statement

  Being First generation born Mexican American I am looking into the blend of the two cultures and the disparity between them. The border is the core of my investigation; by traveling across the border I have become conscious of the differences among both sides and duality within myself. My identity has developed from a synthesis of these two cultures, and my wok explores these two factions that cannot be one without the other. fusion is apparent in my self-portraits where I dress up with the colors from both sides of the border. But I also take a personal look into understanding the history and identity of each nation. I create a juxtaposition with these two identities that become one and explore the social, cultural, and political issues we face in the everyday. I recreate my “investigation,” by trying to dig deeper, exposing the layers, and facing my own identity crisis in the process.

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