Note to Our Higher Selves

Stephanie Santana

2019 · Screenprint · Drawings and Prints

Santana is a textile artist as well as a printmaker. In her work, she combines these practices and incorporates archival materials such as photographs and old documents to reference celebrated artists like the Cuban printmaker Belkis Ayón (1967–1999). Santana was drawn to Ayón’s use of collagraphy and the various textural effects associated with the technique. Here, Santana uses a picture from the 1950s of two girls, the artist’s mother and aunt, shown laughing. Behind them are their silhouettes, evoking the shadow of influence the young girls would later cast. By showing links with family and history, Santana creates what she described as "a dialogue between past and present with images of loved ones."

Artist

Stephanie Santana

Date

2019

Medium

Screenprint

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

John B. Turner Fund, 2021