The Tamal Truths

The lowly corn husk...  ​​​​​​​
Oft overlooked, these leaves serve a simple, yet important role to enshroud the tamale and infuse it with flavor. I know these things because I have grown up eating tamales all my life con mi familia. On these leaves I have recorded those simple phrases that have surrounded my life and permeated it with flavor, meaning, and purpose. 
Tamale corn husk that says "¡Ay Caramba!"
Tamale corn husk that says "Chunk it down, baby! Chunk it down"
Tamale corn husk that quotes 1 John 4:19, which says, "We love because He first loved us."
Tamale corn husk that says "Us Colombians, we be drinking coffee all day." Next to it, another tamale corn husk that says, "Nosotros Colombianos, tomando café todo el día."
Tamale corn husk that says "Perfect is good enough."
A tamale corn husk that says, "Since Christ is Lord of Heaven and Earth" next to a tamale corn husk that says, "How can I keep from singing???"
Tamale corn husk that says, "The store brand now means a hamburger in your mouth later."
Tamale corn husk that says, "If you go slow, then you can't hurt anybody."
Three tamale corns husks that quote Isaiah 42:3, which reads "A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. In faithfulness He will bring forth justice."
A tamale corn husk which says, "We throw dance parties in the kitchen."
A tamale corn husk which says, "We just clean as we go."
A tamale corn husk which says, "My soul is purchased by His blood."
As part of a group show entitled, Contemplation of Contemporaneity, the Tamal Truths were on display at Sasse's Museum's Progress Gallery, located in Pomona, CA. The show run dates were July 9-30, 2022.
Installation view at Progress Gallery in Pomona, CA.
Installation view at Progress Gallery in Pomona, CA.
Installation detail shot.
Installation detail shot.
For the sophomores in the room, I know Colombian tamales are wrapped in banana leaves, not corn husks. However, my Colombian-born mother "never liked Colombian tamales" and always opted to serve the Mexican style tamales. So there you have it.




Additional Work

Further North
2017
Urban Quilt
2018
R E J E C T E D !
2017
Dreamscapes
2017
Consider the Lilies
2023
It's Future Time
2017
Vibrant Hope
2020
Not Fancy
2017
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