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Arleene Correa Valencia
Mei Mei, 2024
Textiles on Tortilla Napkin
Textile: 24 1/2 x 25 inches
Frame: 30 1/8 x 30 1x8 inches
Frame: 30 1/8 x 30 1x8 inches
In 'Mei Mei,' Arleene explores themes of tenderness and love. The substrate is a hand-embroidered napkin originally created by Dulce, a woman who cared for Arleene in her youth. The...
In "Mei Mei," Arleene explores themes of tenderness and love. The substrate is a hand-embroidered napkin originally created by Dulce, a woman who cared for Arleene in her youth. The image depicts Arleene's first meeting of her niece, Ixchel, whose middle name, Rose, comes from Arleene's mother's name—hence Arleene's use of this particular napkin. "Mei Mei," means "sister" in Mandarin and adds another layer of personal significance. Collectively, these elements further expand upon Arleene's interest in creating work that honors her family history, while also delving into themes of kinship and community.