Through bold imagery and storytelling, artist Helen Yanez reflects the beauty, complexity, and strength of her people. Her work is created with intention and deep purpose: to illustrate the lived realities of her brown, Indigenous, migrant community. Her art functions as both a mirror and a bridge, offering her community the opportunity to feel seen, represented, and celebrated, while also educating those outside of their lived reality. Grounded in her Purépecha roots, Helen carries immense pride in keeping her community’s traditions, struggles, and spirit alive through every piece she creates. For Helen, art is not only a form of personal expression but also a powerful tool for cultural preservation, resistance, and collective healing. Join the reception for a panel with artist Helen Yanez and Professor Ralph Armbruster to learn about the inspirations behind her works. Helen Yanez is an artist and illustrator from Santa Maria, rooted in the rich cultural heritage of her Purépecha ancestry.
Co-sponsored by the Chicana and Chicano Studies Department.
