Sarai Hernandez-Barajas

In my work, I capture the nostalgic feeling of my culture by incorporating happy memories, such as visits with my family members in Mexico. I begin by documenting these moments using photography, and then distort the images to reflect how memory fades or shifts over time.

I add three-dimensional elements and embroidery into my work. Stitching into the canvas reminds me of my Mom and Grandmother, who embroidered designs on cloth to use as a tortilla warmer for the kitchen. By stitching into my paintings, I keep this tradition alive in my work.

I often use objects from my home or things I have found discarded in antique shops. I am drawn to domestic objects and the idea of repurposing lost things, giving them a greater purpose. By adding these materials to the surface of my paintings, I create a dynamic, layered, three-dimensional work that evokes a feeling of connection and nostalgia to the past.