Exploring Identity
Harleen Mand
As a contemporary visual artist, Lucia Hierro is known for her works exploring themes
such as identity, consumer culture, and societal issues. From New York, she draws from her
experiences as a first-generation Dominican-American to inform her artistic practices. As an
artist with strong ties to her Dominican heritage and her multicultural environment, she has
significantly influenced the themes and narratives presented in her work. At the Esker
Foundation, her latest showcase Corotos y Ajuares is gaining attention for her critical
examination of consumer culture, challenging the societal norms, and expectations relating to
identity, beauty and representation.
Corotos y Ajuares, translating to “Odds and Ends” Corotos is a Spanish term meaning
colloquialism for household objects and uses the language of consumption to cut up our
relationship to these odds and ends, while also working with textiles, sculpture and installation.
Corotos y Ajuares, an exhibition taking place at the Esker Foundation is a series of sculptures
and specific site murals that focus on mainly household items and consumer goods such as
takeout containers, paper menus, and aprons. The household items become a significant homage
to domestic space in shaping cultural identity. These objects are often overlooked as symbols of
heritage and connection.
One standout feature of “Corotos y Ajuares” is the artist’s use of textiles. Hierro
masterfully weaves together fabrics, patterns, and textures mirroring the twisted interplay of
cultural influences in her own life. The textiles serve as a metaphor for the thread that connects
generations, maintaining traditions while also adapting to new contexts. Hierro transforms these
dull-looking items and turns them into powerful symbols. By engaging in this noticeable
exploration, she invites visitors to her exhibition to consider the powerful influence of
consumerism in our society.
Color also plays a powerful role in Hierro’s artworks. “Corotos y Ajuares” highlights her
mastery of this element. The exhibition space is filled with a display of hues creating many
visuals that mirror the rich cultural background of the artist. Her use of bold and vibrant colours
not only extracts the viewer’s attention but also exemplifies the complex nature of identity,
challenging rigid representations. Each piece displayed created and placed contributes to a larger
narrative that unfolds as a journey through the artist’s cultural landscape.
The artist’s Dominican-American background serves as a powerful backdrop for the
themes that are explored in this exhibition. Being raised in the Bronx, New York, she draws
inspiration from bicultural bringing intertwining elements from both Dominican and American
cultures. The fusion implies in her art where she blends traditional symbols with contemporary
aesthetics creating a visual language that speaks to the troubles of the displacement experience.
Lucia Hierro's "Corotos y Ajuares" is a testament to the artist's ability to transcend boundaries
and create a dialogue that is both personal and universally resonant. Through her masterful use of
materials and the exploration of cultural symbolism, Hierro invites viewers to reflect on their
connections to heritage and the myriad ways in which identity is woven into the fabric of daily
life. This exhibition is a touching celebration of the diversity and resilience inherent in the
human experience.