By Miguel Juárez
Continuing with our series and in celebration of Pride Month we are focusing on LGBTQ Artists and their Allies. Due to the pandemic, working-class creatives work was also affected, today we are focusing on the art La Mueka and we asked her the questions as we did for two previous artists we featured: Marcos Rey and Jose Montoya.
La Mueka was born in Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico in 1979 and migrated to the United States in 1987 to live with her grandparents. In her biography she states, she is from “Segundo Barrio and Central.” She says she loves the “busy feel of downtown El Paso. She states her neighbors are amiable, sharing, and forgiving, since she plays drums and other instruments.
Her first home in El Paso was on Campbell Street. She attended Aoy Elementary School and graduated from Bowie High School in 1997 as a JROTC Battalion Commander. She graduated from Bowie In 1997 as the JROTC Battalion Commander. La Mueka is also the proud mother of a beautiful baby girl, Alexandra Iran.
La Mueka’s parents were food vendors in their puesto de barbacoa located in downtown Juárez. She started working with them on weekends at the age of twelve to help them out. She also worked with them when she was on school vacation so she could buy music tapes and shoes.
She began creating art and music she came back from the U.S. Army in her late 20’s. She states that her art and music was her therapy, which she said helped her take refuge from “dark memories.”
La Mueka states that not a lot of publications have written about her work, although she has displayed her work at various places including the Second Floor Gallery and the Loft and online. Writing about artists is important and it helps grow the local art scene. Historically, other publications have not written about artists like La Mueka. Fewer women’s art is covered.
La Mueka is very active in social media, but she states she remains underground because of personal health issues which make it difficult for her to “remain afloat as an artist without meeting people.”
She took photography, art , piano, and individual voice instruction courses at El Paso Community College (Valle Verde Campus). She states she expanded her knowledge of art by watching art documentaries. She said the impetus to create art came from one her friends. She states: “He had everything to paint and I jumped to use it.” To make her art she has utilized whatever materials and tools she had access to. Her first piece was an oil painting titled “Space Octopus.” When she needed to upload photos to her myspace to accompany her music tracks she used a key chain mini-digital camera with no view finder that she bought at Walgreens for $10. After her first she said he was addicted to photography.
La Mueka’s work follows Avant-garde, Dada, Surrealism, Psychedelic and Abstract art directions (photography, art, music) and she states she was heavily influenced by David Lynch and Andy Warhol. She uses rich colors and mixed media materials.
El Paso News (EPN): How did you and your artwork manage during the Pandemic?
My art and I managed through the pandemic. I opened up and reached out to new art minds from other countries. Even though we were all going through trying dark times, our art is different and unique in message and visual as well. My art received criticism from different points of view. I was told that my art was energetic, suggesting, strong, colorful, eccentric, and mind expanding.
EPN: How were you and your art making were affected by the Pandemic?
Because of the pandemic, my art making increased as I got bombarded with wild, creative ideas; both colorful and dark. I converted anxiety and depression into color waves by displaying the beautiful colors of the spectrum of acceptance and appreciation through my art. Despite some people’s negativism and judgement, I gave in to forgiveness and love. Protected my mind by staying productive indoors and immersing myself in people’s art for inspiration. EndoMuekaNisms means “Indoor Mechanisms.”
EPN: What do you want to communicate to others about your work?
If art could talk, mine would whisper and also shout. My art would whisper about personal mistakes and pain, but also about kindness and tolerance. It would shout respect and love for nature. Respetar a las diversas y perfectas creaturas; creaciones de Dios! My art would invite, persuade to be brave and accept the good and the bad in ourselves and others. Once we realize we are all perfectly imperfect, gender and color will not interfere in the possibility of spiritual trancendence in the modern world.
EPN: Where can people see your art work online?
The fact that people buy my art makes me feel that there are others out there that care about growing as a human being. “Somos como las Enrredaderas mija” “We are like vines my little one” mi mama decia. Unas crecen para aya, y otras para aca, pero siempre hacia arriba.” Every time I sell a piece of art I feel more and more people are eager to receive this urgent but humble message. I want people that buy or view my art to connect with my piece and disperse the message to others. I am extremely thankful for the people that have my art in their homes for supporting my art therapy and communicating este humilde mensaje.
EPN: How can others support you and your art?
Here are some links to view art work, musical protests, and soundscapes I have created and produced:
Instagram@rodolfosaucedo81
Endomueka-Nisms Hernandez | Facebook
EndoMuekanisms Hernandez Songs | ReverbNation
EndoMuekaNisms | Endo Mueka Nisms | Free Listening on SoundCloud
Not just buy and display our art but engage in pure emotions, deep thought, and conversation.
Support all local artists by attending, sharing events on Facebook and Instagram such as:
Last Thursdays El Paso | Facebook
Kaleidoscope Art Market | Facebook
EPN: How are you and your work celebrating Pride?
I celebrate pride through my art and my personality. My art demonstrates confidence, transformation, and solidarity. It is important we sow self-love, to reap respect. The person who disrespects, does not love her/himself.
To reach La Mueka you can contact her/himself at:
Endomueka-Nisms Hernandez | Facebook
Instagram@rodolfosaucedo81
We would like to thank Artist La Mueka for answering our questions and sending us samples of her work. If you would like your art profiled, please answer all the questions below. If possible, include a short bio and up to five samples of your art to: miguel@elpasonews.org. We will publish your answers and include artistic commentary on your work in celebration of Pride Month.
Here are the questions:
How did you and your art manage during the Pandemic?
How were you and your art making were affected by the Pandemic?
What do you want to communicate to others about your work?
What do you want to tell potential art buyers and/or supporters about your work?
Where can people see your art online?
How can others support you and your art?
How are you and your work celebrating Pride?
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If you are interested in attending the next creatives and American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding meeting with Commissioner David Stout, please contact Carlos Martinez at 915-546-2111 or email him at: CarMartinez@epcounty.com
You can also join the American Rescue Plan and Funding for the Arts Facebook group page for updates at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3866107536839758.
