Cultivating Latinx Culture & Creativity with Maria Cristina Tavera (5 Plain Questions)

This episode was produced in partnership with 5 Plain Questions and Eleven Warrior Arts.

Hosted by Joe Williams, 5 Plain Questions is a podcast that proposes 5 general questions to Native American and Indigenous artists, creators, musicians, writers, movers and shakers, and culture bearers.

Episode Summary

In this episode, meet Marina Cristina “Tina” Tavera, a Minneapolis-based Latinx artist whose work explores the intricate constructions of identity and culture through various artistic mediums.

Throughout her work, Tina examines the complexities of Latinidad within the United States resonates throughout her work, as she utilizes various mediums to challenge conventional narratives around race and culture, while also highlighting how her experiences as a mother have prompted her to reflect on the cultural legacies she wishes to impart to her children.

Tina is also deeply dedicated to her community, particularly through her role at Serpentina Arts, where she advocates for the advancement of Latinx artists.

Resources

• Episode webpage
• Episode transcript
• Maria Cristina Tavera's website, Instagram, and US Latinx Art Forum member page
• Maria Cristina Tavera's "Casta" series
• Bestario exhibition at Metro State University
• Serpentina Arts

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Art of the Rural is honored to support 5 Plain Questions. We are grateful to individual donors across the country, the Ford Foundation, and Good Chaos for making these conversations possible. Learn more about our work and show your support at artoftherural.org

Transcript

Episode Introduction

Joe Williams: Hello and welcome again to another episode of Five Plain Questions, a podcast that proposes five questions to Indigenous artists, creators, musicians, writers, movers and shakers, and culture bearers, people in the community that are doing great things for their communities. I'm Joe Williams, your host for this conversation.

My goal is to showcase these amazing people in our Indigenous communities from around the region and country. We return to our multi-part series in conjunction with Art of the Rural, an arts nonprofit based out of Winona, Minnesota. We're so excited to promote their work that they're doing, engaging in community with art and intention.

I wanna introduce you to Tina Tavera. Maria Cristina Tavera, or Tina, is a Minneapolis based Latinx artist, curator, and cultural agitator influenced by her transnational upbringing between Minnesota and Mexico. Her art investigates the constructions of racial, ethnic, and gender, national and cultural identity via numerous mediums, including.

Printmaking installation and public art. The focus is on Latinidad within the United States. She has exhibited nationally and internationally and has received fellowships and grants. The McKnight Visual Arts Fellowship Grant, the Smithsonian Latino Museum Studies Program, Museum of Modern Art in New York, and many more.

Her artwork can be found in the collections of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Mexican Art, the Weisman Art Museum, and again many more. She is all over the world. Her work is incredible. Her writings as well have been published by the Walker Art Center, the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, the College Art Association, as well as a book titled Mexican Pop Art.

So with that said, let's jump into five more questions with Tina Tavera.

Interview

Joe Williams: Tina Tavera, welcome back to your five Plain questions. It's really great to see you again.

Maria Cristina Tavera: Thank you, Joe. I'm glad to be here. Thank you for inviting me.

Joe Williams: Oh, yep. Absolutely. You were on a few years ago, a few seasons ago, and we connected about your work and about your story.

And I wanna revisit it with our new listeners and go a little deeper into your career, your artwork, than we were before. So would you be able to reintroduce yourself for our audience, please?

Maria Cristina Tavera: Sure. I'm actually Maria Cristina Tavera, my full name. Everyone refers to me as Tina and I have grown up in Minnesota. And my whole life I've left for short periods of time, but always return. And I actually am an artist in the Twin Cities area, Minneapolis, and I work at Augsburg University.

Joe Williams: Okay. Okay. Yeah, you have to forgive me. I'm a South Dakota boy. My pronunciations are as basic as, best as someone from South Dakota. I will note though, you say Minnesota like a Minnesotan.

Maria Cristina Tavera: I do. I do. Yeah. When I was young, I actually grew up speaking Spanish and I had a speech therapist probably because I had an accent, so I make jokes that this was hard to come by, this thick Minnesota accent.

Joe Williams: How do you work with a Spanish accent and a Norwegian accents altogether?

Maria Cristina Tavera: It's interesting you say that, Joe, because I actually feel that a lot of my artwork actually thinks about those things and who you are, right? With those two that split, I think that divisive but at the same time you're the one person, it's interesting.

Joe Williams: No, that's. That's an interesting comment and take on our work is so much of the work in our community, our Indigenous community is a balance between our traditional ways and our the contemporary world that we live in and our place in that.

Maria Cristina Tavera: Exactly. Yeah. And I think we're always trying to navigate that, even in our values and our day-to-day activities.

Joe Williams: That said how have your experiences and perspectives affected your work and how has that evolved over the course of your career?

Maria Cristina Tavera: I think growing up, wondering what it would be like if I would've grown up in Mexico, and then being so close to my relatives that are so far away.

I think I overthink almost what it means to be who I am in Minnesota. And I think it, it was a lot stronger when my children were born because then I really wanted them to understand the cultural norms, even though we are so far away. And so it has affected my artwork. And then I have worked with TRIO programs for almost three decades now, helping low income, first generation students reach their academic goals. So I think it, it really becomes a big part of who I am on a day-to-day basis.

Joe Williams: This kind of flows into the next question about if there was any specific milestone that influenced certain moments of growth within your career. It sounds like motherhood was one of those things.

Maria Cristina Tavera: It started with domestic issues. Just thinking of my grandmother, had nine children in Mexico, and so it was thinking about maybe what her day to day and what her life was like compared to mine. But I think one of my milestones was probably in 2016, 2017, I made about 45 prints about "Casta," which is about race.

And basically in, the 1800s, Casta was something that came from Spain when they went to Mexico to try to classify people and to discourage them from mixing with those that are Indigenous or of African descent. My work actually was done here in Minnesota. I did three solo exhibitions one being in Duluth at the Tweed Museum. And through that I think I really wanted to have people have conversations about race and what it signifies and how our country has, I don't know, we have to this confront the stark legacy.

Joe Williams: Yeah. With those conversations that you've had at least in the past how has maybe the tone of the perspective different between the Indigenous communities and the non-Indigenous communities that you've had with them?

Maria Cristina Tavera: It's interesting. I thought a lot about the census and how we classify ourselves, how we self-identify. And I think it's really interesting that Latinx is actually not a race. We are expected to choose whether we are white or Indigenous or Black or Asian. And so that to me is really intriguing. Like how and so I think that Latinx community struggles with that a lot in how they would classify themselves.

Joe Williams: Yeah that's for. Even for Native Americans, Indigenous, it's a political term, right? American Indian is the, I think the official American term and language is very important. Very specific on how, how we represent ourselves.

Maria Cristina Tavera: Yeah I was saying like in 2016 and 2017 I did the work on Casta, but one of the pieces was actually about La Malinche who helped Cortés conquer Mexico. So it's always been a controversial figure. And the piece I made I think was trying to have the discussion regarding La Malinche who was an Indigenous woman. She could speak three languages, which is what probably helped Cortés, the Spanish conquistador. At the same time we are looking at it through a more contemporary lens that a woman who was sold to him really didn't have very many choices about how she would survive and move forward.

So I, I really enjoyed thinking about how this is generational. Like how many years ago this was? The 1600s or beyond. And so then how do we change those roles and reevaluate our historical knowledge?

Joe Williams: How has the reaction varied or compared to each other between the generations younger artists and or older audience as well?

Maria Cristina Tavera: It's interesting because I think I have so much pride in my Mexican descent. It's something I've always celebrated and, but I do think it, I think when I was younger there was a lot of emphasis... the generation above me was discouraged from speaking Spanish. And told that they would never assimilate if they kept their native language.

And what, and then when I grew up, then there was this I think people started to take politically would take pride in speaking Spanish. And now, more. Lately I started to wonder if it shifted to be more about the color of your skin. And so it's interesting to me how these expectations in mainstream and how you're classified is actually, I think, viewed, from others and from oneself at the same time.

Joe Williams: We are in a very hyperpolitical environment right now, and that's an interesting take. I haven't thought about in those terms. 'cause growing up on the reservation I have the perspective of Natives within the United States having a very similar experience. The boarding school era, where they weren't allowed to speak their language and when they became parents, they discouraged us from learning the language as well. But somewhere in there, the younger generation started speaking it through school programs and efforts. And so there's this gap between who can speak and who are more established speakers. And it's encouraging for me to see younger people speaking our languages.

It gives me hope for us, even though I don't have the confidence to speak it myself.

Maria Cristina Tavera: I agree. And I also think it opens people up to understanding other cultures. I think when you have some experience with a different language, you're not as intimidated when you're in a situation where others are speaking and you're not understanding, which I think is really, just that alone is encouraging. That we're a little bit more accepting of each other, even when we're, might be uncomfortable 'cause we don't understand what's happening and such.

Joe Williams: Yeah. Yeah. Taking a step back from this let's talk about your work. What, what have been working on recently? What's your process been?

Maria Cristina Tavera: Recently. Right now, working on a series for Metro State University called "Bestiarios ." There are a lot more being made, which are those very colorful mythical animals and such.

And we are going to have some of those in the exhibition. So then the other artists, the other four artists, decided that we would take off on that topic. And I do like to think about legends and I've done many oral folk tales and such because I'm a big fan of storytelling and sharing traditional stories, precautionary tales and such.

So this. Series that I'm working on currently is actually part... like they're, the creatures are part animal and part human, and they're telling stories about current contemporary events.

Joe Williams: Nice. Has there been any sort of particularly challenging moments in your artistic journey and how were you able to overcome that?

Maria Cristina Tavera: I think my biggest challenge is balance. I have a lot of priorities of things that I want to accomplish. I recently started to describe myself as a cultural agitator, meaning that I hope that my artwork can produce some discussions and raise awareness and push some boundaries. And at the same time, I like to be active, like I said, working with students that are low income, first generation and with the community helping the Latinx artists advance. And so there is this push and pull of how to manage my time and how do I know where to invest my day. And so on a day-to-day basis, it can even be a struggle.

Joe Williams: I feel that. I'm independent now, and so it's turned a little chaotic sometimes. Trying to sort priorities. This next question is pretty much tied into some of your answer here, but what are some of the good habits that you've developed for yourself to really keep moving forward in your practice? And the second part would be is what are maybe some bad habits that you had to break or step away from as well?

Maria Cristina Tavera: Oh, that's a tough one. So I am, I think that I try to accomplish, especially with the art. And it's really hard to simply be a full-time artist. I'm not necessarily a commercial artist, so you know, I need to find other ways to make a living.

Sometimes that can be cumbersome and it can also be really inspirational. My job and I think what I try really hard to do, and I give this advice, especially to younger or emerging artists, is to try to accomplish something every day in your art form. So maybe you are really tired that day and you get home from your job and you lack some motivation, but you can then like maybe do something that's a little simpler, edit your resume or review applications or even make lists.

So that when I do have the time and energy, I can go back to those lists and reprioritize and try to keep on track for what I wanna accomplish.

Joe Williams: That list offering is an amazing thing. I, I've started doing that myself. 'Cause there are days where I'm done, I'm taxed for the day and I can't do anything more. But when I start the next day then, or whenever I sit back down to get going, I have a list of things just to help me along the way is invaluable.

Maria Cristina Tavera: Yeah. And maybe it just means getting the supplies ready for when you have the time to really, go deep into what you're working on.

Joe Williams: Yeah. Part of this series is, we're supported by Art of the Rural, who's sponsored a couple of these episodes. One with Xavier Tavera, and Joe Allen, another one of our former guests. And some of the conversations that we're having are relationships between artists and their communities, whether they're larger communities, smaller communities, rural communities.

And I just wanted to ask you about if you could talk about your relationship with communities maybe smaller communities, like which you've grown up in and the larger communities where you reside currently.

Maria Cristina Tavera: Yes. I actually grew up in Stillwater and so I say that as a rural area, but when I was growing up, it really was a rural area. Really was a place that was quieter, almost farm town-ish. And I think that, my mother's family being in Mexico and going back and forth really gave me some perspective on the difference between Mexico City and Stillwater was the urban and then the small town experience. But I really have, I think, benefited from that as well because it gives me perspectives in Minnesota on how different people are and how they've been raised in different environments and such.

And so I see that as a fact of who I am and how it helps me analyze the day-to-day and the different cultural differences. But it's really important I think, to have exposure of different cultures in these rural areas and having the ability, I think, to I think, to share your cultural experiences in many different environments.

So I've been fortunate to exhibit at the Plains Museum in Fargo or in the Tweed in Duluth and in different areas. And now currently with Serpentina Arts, which is the nonprofit organization that I work with Latinx artists, we are working on an exhibition for January at the Mankato University with Edson Rosas there.

Joe Williams: Okay. Okay. That, yeah, that at least right to the next question. What's on the horizon for you? What's coming up?

Maria Cristina Tavera: Right now,, I'm, I enjoy preparing for these exhibitions that I'm working on, and I tend to choose and experiment with many different mediums. So I'm always expanding my skill set in that way. And I also have been running Serpentina Arts and helping Latinx artists advance their craft and their professional skills. So we have worked primarily in the Twin Cities, but have also reached out and are trying to collaborate with artists. Currently with we are working with Natalia, which is, she's about three hours down there by Winona. And so we're working to try to figure out how to do a film festival. So I try to incorporate artists in the more rural areas. And and that's something new, so we're trying to expand the services that way.

Joe Williams: Okay. Okay. With that last part there I'm starting a film festival here in Fargo next spring, so maybe there's an opportunity there for us to figure something out.

Maria Cristina Tavera: That'd be great. That would be fun. Yeah.

Joe Williams: Yeah. Yeah. What's, what have I missed in our questions here? Is there anything that, that you would like to to share?

Maria Cristina Tavera: I think I encourage people to get out to view things, to experience cultural activities if they can. I think during the pandemic, people became more and more comfortable at working from home and limiting their interaction with people.

But in order to really understand each other and each other's cultures and experiences and who we are I think it takes a little investment. On each of us to maybe go to an event that we don't typically go to support artists and their production. Usually that's the most important thing is sharing what they're creating.

And I think it is an incredible way for us to try to understand each other better during these times. That there's so much division.

Joe Williams: That's a great point. And. So I think, yeah, so much of our divide is fueled by the separation created by social media and people just siloing themselves together in these echo chambers and not being in the community and enjoying events and food and experiences together.

Maria Cristina Tavera: I agree. I agree, Joe.

Joe Williams: Yeah. Where can our listener check out your work? Is there a lending place for them to connect with you and what you're doing?

Maria Cristina Tavera: I have a website which shows probably needs to be updated, but it has it's my full name. It's like www.mariacristinatavera.com. And I also promote on Facebook and Instagram under Tina Tavera.

Joe Williams: Okay. We'll put link links in the show notes for our listeners to, to connect.

Tina, thank you so much for coming back on the podcast and giving, giving us an update on what's going on and the new work that you're doing.

Maria Cristina Tavera: Thank you. Thank you, Joe. I appreciate it.

Joe Williams: And that does it for this episode of Five Plain Questions. I want to thank Tina again for her time and sharing her story with us. One of the joys of this podcast is not just meeting great artists, but to be able to have a chance to check back in with them and see what they're doing currently. Her work and presence in our community is truly a gift, and I hope that we can all appreciate that.

I'm so grateful for all that she's doing and I really hope that you're able to follow and support her. So please check out her website at mariacristinatavera.com and her social media accounts on Facebook, on Instagram, and Threads. The links are in the show notes. I also wanna thank you for joining us and spending your time listening to what I feel is a very important story and perspective from our community.

So please join us next time as we speak with another incredible person. I'm Joe Williams. Thank you for listening to Five Plain Questions. Your support helps keeps these conversations going. You can follow us on Instagram Threads, TikTok, Bluesky, and to stay connected with us, visit us at elevenwarriorarts.com. There you can explore past episodes, check out our exclusive merch and sign up for our upcoming newsletter.

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