Soldadera de Amor: Muejeres de Maíz Flor Y Canto
Issue No. 9, 2011
Los Angeles, CA
ISSN:1947-4210
Over the years Mujeres de Maiz Zine publications have evolved into beautiful 30-60 page soft-bound booklets with 20-30 poems, and over 15-25 full color pages of original works. There are over 30 visual artists & poets in every issue with generations of creative women of color from throughout the United States and worldwide.
An anthology of art, poetry and prose written on issues of concern by women of color.
Mujeres de Maíz is a collective for, by and of the people, specifically urban wombyn of color. The group started among the writings of empowering mentors; where the penetrating power of Xicanisma and important historical lessons and stories were shared through women’s creations and thereby planted in the hearts, minds, and spirits of las Mujeres de Maíz. The influence, inspiration, and empowerment of these women’s art, has had a profound impact on various generations and together las Mujeres de Maíz, have created a much needed space for their own generation, style, and vidas.
After 15 years, Mujeres de Maíz, a wombyn of color creative art collective based on activism and personal, artistic, and spiritual growth, continues as a groundbreaking force within underground Los Angeles Chicana, artist, and activist circles. The group has pushed across many borders to create sacred spaces for women to share their thoughts, experiences, prayers and politics through the arts and to push theory into flesh. Mujeres de Maíz is where emerging and established women of color artists share the same stage and page, a group where intergenerational, intercultural and interdisciplinary work is applauded and encouraged, and where a myriad of wombyn of color, from different cultures, generation, religions and traditions come together to honor themselves and all wombyn. It is a place that for many years was the only of its kind, having been the home and started of many of Los Angeles’ wombyn performing ARTivists, and where many have shared their creations for the first time and later to publish and tour their work.
In honor of International Womyn’s Day (March 8th), Mujeres de Maíz creates an annual live art show and publication in solidarity with thousands of women across the world, who march for women’s rights and important issues. In L.A., the women of this open collective march, pray, organize, and share their gifts, their sacred words, music, and art…themselves. In these turbulent and changing times, Mujeres de Maíz welcomes you to delve into their amazing creations within a generation’s sacred creative codex and experience, in the words of the Zapatistas, “a world where many worlds fit.”
About Linda Vallejo:
Linda Vallejo has exhibited her work regionally, nationally, and internationally. In 2011, she will present solo exhibitions at Ave 50 Studio, ChimMaya Gallery, and will also be included in two events as part of the Getty Initiative, “Pacific Standard Time: Art in Los Angeles 1945-1980.”
Artists included: Margaret ‘Quica’ Alarcon, Jeanette Valeire Iskat de Aldana aka “J-VIDA,” Karina Oliva Alvarado, Karina Perez-Alvarado, Iris De Anda, Ariana A. Andrade, Gina Aparicio, Sara M. Bloomberg, Mariana Bruno, Povi-Tamu Bryant, Zenia Camarena, Yreina D. Cervantes, Melody Gonzalez-Chávez, Carribean Fragoza, Erica Friend, Faby Georges, Dolores Gonzales-Haro, Queen Hollins, Luisa Leija, Monique “Selecta Luz,” Lucia Martinez, Lizette Hernandez-Moore, Iuri Morales Lara, Jeanette Martín, Dalila Mendez, Rosalilia Mendoza, Claudia A. Mercado, Felicia ‘Fe’ Montes, Patricia Paz Moya, Rosario Olmedo, Nancy Olmos, Maria Christina Pangan, Panquetzani, Veronica Perez, Favianna Rodriguez, Tania Romero, Elvia Susana Rubalcava, Claudia Serrrato, Oriel María Siu, Anna P. Sutton, Araceli Silva, Mica Valdez, Veronica X. Valadez, Lynette Naja-Valdez, Linda Vallejo, Cora Ramirez-Vasquez, Marissa A. Gutiérrez-Vicario, Patricia Zamorano, Marisela Zepeda
View Excerpt Mujeres de Maiz Website