“Deliberate”: The Art of Cora Quiroz, May 7th in Phoenix, AZ at ALAC
Interview by EJ Manon
Cora Jean Quiroz is an artist who has an honest, beautiful, and exciting journey to share with you. Cora Jean Quiroz wants to have a conversation with the world. Through her paintings you are able to see her life experiences, hidden messages about her life’s philosophy, and a cause: helping the indigenous community through art.
Photo of Cora Quiroz, Photography by KBR, Assisting by EJ Manon
Cora Quiroz is a muralist and free dancer from Detroit Michigan. She has an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design, and is currently studying a Bachelor’s of Fine Art Painting and Drawing at Arizona State University. Since she moved to Phoenix, she has worked with Roosevelt Row, Xico Inc, IndigenousCC, and Indigenous Design Collab. Cora’s artistic experience and life story is one worth knowing.
I was thinking about your paintings, it's a personal process for you. I saw in your paintings that you put yourself a little bit on there. So, how do you start creating? What’s your inspiration?
Usually it's like I love journaling. I do a lot of journaling. I do a lot of my maps. I think about the serious moments that affect me. Bring it to the climate today. Usually I start doing sketches, and do research on things that symbolize like you talk about with skulls and candles being blown out. Then I put it together like a set and I have someone taking photos for me. I manipulate the photo like a painting.
You have this thought process first, then in real life you take pictures and figure out how to put it together. So, that makes me go to this other question: How is it for you to re born as an artist? How is that this process for you?
I feel like the mirror that I'm making for my show is like my rebirth. Rebirth is a constant thing just like associating with people is a very new thing. Associating with people, friends, Christmas and birthdays. Everything is new. As for my paintings, I can create each one as a conversation with myself. Most painters spend a lot of time alone. It is not a very sociable activity. So all my paintings are careful conversations with myself so long term so understanding why I am here its kind like my vision.
When you paint and have this inner conversations feelings are a big factor in this process, how are your feelings coming through in this process?
Usually it is like an initial part of me drawing me like an experiment, like a concept but sometimes even like things going on. Sometimes take weeks or more time, sometimes
I painted my brother. We didn't have much of a relationship at this time. I wanted to paint him in the photo because the way the photo was taken he was kind in the dark. I was leaning towards neutral colors. Everything in the midwest isn't as colorful as here.
I painted the photo as really dark and sad. I remember having a lot of conversations with my mom that inspired me to bring all the colors back to this painting, make it more loose and brush strokes. Make it more enjoyable and excitable. Sometimes just the conversations with my mother really inspired me to make some drastic changes. The painting was complete and I started all over again — changing a lot after that.
How do you integrate the indigenous part to your artwork?
It was rooted, I feel like being a Jehovah's Witness, the feeling of displacement. For me I feel like I was displaced in so many ways from my family, I don't talk to my family. From the people I grew up with, like moving here. I also understand all the people, a lot of Mexicans feel displaced. They don't know what tribe they are from. A lot of people don't recognize their indigenous identity and understanding they don't feel valid because they are not enrolled in a tribe. I feel like that is a valid indigenous experience and I show that in my artwork.
Photo of Cora Quiroz, Photography by KBR, Assisting by EJ Manon
I feel like many people feel displaced, even people who are enrolled in tribes might not know the language — their tribal language.
I like creating spaces that allow these people that feel displaced to connect and feel valid and this all are normal experiences.
It's amazing because you are giving a space for people to feel validated. How do you feel about sharing part of your soul in your artwork with others?
I feel it is the most enjoyable part for me. Usually, when I do paint I do not always start with that in mind necessarily. This is to honor my family, I bring happiness to the people I love in my family. I think about how I feel about it. I grew up in rural Michigan, and there was no one like me at all. There weren't any other Jehovah Witnesses, no latinas, or anyone biracial. I think about how I felt. Feeling out of place I wanted to help other people to feel that way. I do not mind being vulnerable in order to help other people.
Your solo show is coming up on May 7th. Can you talk to us about that event?
The event is called Deliberate, it is autobiographical. It is a tribute to my life and my family's life.
Also, it is a journey. I'm doing a couple of paintings about my family’s past, my migration from Texas and then Mexico to Texas and then to Michigan and me coming back to Arizona, showing part of my journey and my family’s journey.
Photo of Cora Quiroz, Photography by KBR, Assisting by EJ Manon
Furthermore, I’m sharing very symbolic events in my life. I’m showing these meaningful events. This is a big and careful conversation with myself that I’m sharing with others. I hope to have other people come to this space and talk to other people about their experiences.
The show will be taking place in Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center (ALAC) in Downtown Phoenix. The opening reception is May 7th from 6pm to 10pm. The show will be up for a month. ALAC is located at 147 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
