You Have So Many Things

Streaming Media

Publication Date

2026

Presentation Length

Poster/Gallery presentation

College

College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

Department

Foreign Languages, Department of

Student Level

Undergraduate

Faculty Mentor

Mitchell McCoy

Presentation Type

Gallery

Summary

The art of craft is recognized as functional objects. It is distinguished from art, which is meant to be experienced and seen. Art in Hispanic culture focuses on all media; however, for this project, two artists, Gerardo Monterrubio and Jamie Guerrero, use their skills and Hispanic background to create contemporary art that calls to the big ideas of home and neighbors.

Gerardo Monterrubio was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, in 1979 and obtained a Masters in fine arts at UCLA. He currently teaches at the American Museum of Ceramic Art. Monterrubio’s inspiration comes from murals, prison drawings, and graffiti, which the young artist contributed to with his own signature. His works primarily focus on the Mexican immigrant experience, as well as the tough culture of the LA streets. Monterrubio’s pieces tell a story through designs that resemble tattoos, with sketching in pencil, then filling in with paint. These designs contain contradictions to the ancient art form of ceramic decorations and primarily represent his own memories as an Oaxaca immigrant youth in an LA neighborhood. Monterrubio incorporates themes of masculinity, fighting, resilience, and the suppression of emotions into his work.

Jamie Guerrero was born and lives in Los Angeles, California. He began his studies in Oakland, CA, then attended the Pilchuck School of Glass. Guerrero is a rare artist, as his primary form of media is the most difficult to work with. As a glassblower, he does not keep his technique hidden from the public. Guerrero is a passionate artist who incorporates his community into his works. He focuses on the main idea of neighborhoods because the projects are “very technical and require a team.” Guerrero also centralizes on the themes of immigration, refugees, and oppression. Most glassblowers incorporate color into their pieces to highlight several aspects of their vision. Geuerro, however, purposefully leaves out color because it “almost disappears…[the viewers] have to work harder to see a silhouette.”

The emotional depth of these two artists has moved the idea of craft into fine art. I was inspired by their ability to provide such meaningful insights into a culture that is underrepresented in the arts. You Have So Many Things is a combination of the materialistic mindset and overconsumption of the American people and the Spanish home. While in Spain, a woman named Marisa hosted me for five months. Throughout the entire experience, she would comment on the number of things I brought with me. In the flat I was living in, we cherished water and used objects until there was nothing left. We composted, grew our own meals, and ate smaller portions. The home was full of keepsakes and void of useless products. It was a way of life that was much simpler. I found my American culture shifting towards the Spanish one. In this piece, I wanted to represent the simplicity of the Spanish home, while subtly hinting at the contrasting American ways.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS