Interno Externo
wood, house paint, hand-painted fabric, lace, cinder blocks, digital video
72 × 108 × 46 inches
2024

The home-like structure, constructed from paint, found objects, and fabric, represents the internal and external struggles of maintaining a hybrid identity. 

The only color emerges from hand-painted fabric inspired by Mexican oilcloths, evoking the intimate space they create for conversation, nourishment, and comfort. The fabric, known for its durability, bursts through the whitewashed facade signifying cultural resilience against external influences. 

A 9‑minute video montage in collaboration with dancer Sara Hererra sits within the sculpture Interno Externo, honoring the cultural histories of artist Cortez Gonzales and dancer Herrera. It begins with a woman embroidering a Texas bluebonnet while recounting a Singer sewing machine's role in proving U.S. citizenship. Photographs of Cortez Gonzales’ family appear together with music from her father’s band in his youth. In following segments, Herrera performs a dance within a scene from her grandparents’ home, evoking the feeling of being transported there across time and place.