Kristina Salinas: Playground/Battleground

Playground/Battleground is a representational exploration of two places that touch my heart because not only are they are vital to the health of our communities, their populations are largely voiceless and vulnerable. The playground is representative of
places where our children should feel total freedom and fecundity to grow; however, our children face gun violence and censorship of their curriculum as well as many other limits to their academic and personal success. Meanwhile, on the working farm, Mexican migrant workers face repatriation, a loss of livelihood and even drastic separation from loved ones—and all this despite the fact that they work so tirelessly to feed our country. In this exhibition, I offer a visual declaration of solidarity with these vulnerable groups, and I hope that reflection on my work will help, in any measure, to perpetuate discourse to restore rights for those who cannot defend themselves. The viewer may feel an increase in tension as the show progresses, concluding with a survival tactic through the eyes of a child: does one fight or take flight?

Salinas is in our Helen DeVitt Jones Studio gallery from March 7 – March 29. 2025.