Ely Aviña

I've been observing my younger nephews, Angel, Nathan, and my cousin Oscar throughout the last few years. My series focuses on the transitions of adolescence, observing the boys’ existence in Rome. Now, they are all between the ages of 13 and 16 years old. I continue recording how they portray themselves, focusing on the spectrum of Latine or "Mexican American" boyhood.

I am motivated to contribute to Latine representation as I am eager to have control of the narrative and help create a dynamic visual representation of boyhood. I aim to provoke thoughts of reflection on one's adolescence. How does it compare and differ from your youth? Does it provide a sense of ease and fondness, or do you feel removed from them?

A dialogue I desire to elicit is the implications of growing up as a first or second-generation Mexican American or Latine in the U.S. Culturally, there are various implications when parents leave a country and establish themselves in the U.S. Some parents will continue to embrace their culture, whereas; others may not and refrain from embracing their roots, such as not teaching their children their language. The children of immigrants become a paradox. We are neither from here nor there. There's an expression for it in Spanish, "Ni de aquí, ni de allá."

This work is essential because I have a direct understanding of this narrative. There's a lot of unlearning and self-discovery that children of immigrants undergo in their life. There is a sense of importance to do this work now, as children may continue to experience a disconnect with their identity and the various implications of being children of immigrants in the U.S. I want this work to reflect children becoming into their person, regardless of expectations from either Latine or American culture.