Felipe Merida’s powerful illustrations reveal America’s hidden Latino workers

Ghosts in the machine — Felipe Merida’s Latinos USA solo show celebrates the often-overlooked contribution of Latinos to American society.

Worn Levi’s 501 jeans, Timberland construction boots, Nike baseball caps and all-American branded caps, tees and sweaters. To the untrained eye, they’re just items of clothing, but to those who can read the symbols, like artist Felipe Merida, they’re a uniform that identifies them as Latinos: hard-working motherfuckers, keeping America moving – largely unnoticed.

Latinos USA is a solo exhibition by Guatemala-born/Brooklyn-based artist Felipe Merida, AKA Tipi Thieves at LA’s Paul Loya Gallery.

02

A migrant himself, Felipe’s family moved from Guatemala to San Francisco in 1997 where he went on to study at the San Francisco Art Institute.

Latinos USA is a series of portraits made from anonymous photographs Felipe took around his Brooklyn neighbourhood. His attention to detail brings to life the character of each worker through their dress, the two cultures that come together in them and quietly celebrates the Latin community’s contribution to America.

What is Latinos USA all about?
The collection is a nostalgic reminder of my roots. Coming from a central-America Latino background I am taken back to my childhood. Their work ethic is admirable, the importance of earning money for their family is so noble – this collection is to celebrate them.

03

What drew you to the people you chose to paint?
I am attracted to their style. My work is detail orientated, I aim to capture the texture of the textile, the facial expression in strokes of ink, the material of the shoes, age and other defining characteristics in each portrait.

05

How do you hope your paintings will change how people see them?
I don’t hope my painting will change how people see them, I merely present them for people to see.

11

What’s the most important thing you learned or the most poignant moment/interaction you experienced in putting together the series?
Other than my own nostalgia for the culture, I learned to pay even more attention to detail. The smallest detail can make the painting more authentic. Most of the portraits are from behind, so I needed to capture the culture without using facial features. Hence the importance of the details.

12

Do you feel Latinos’ contributions to American society are adequately recognised?
Without generalising, Latinos are happy to have work, rather than being too selective about the work they do.Their work ethic is focus on providing for the family… In some ways I don’t think they are too concerned with being recognised for their work – family is the focus.

13

Donald Trump’s recent comments suggest Latinos are still not accepted by large sections of American society. How long do you think it will take for Latinos to be accepted as Americans, like the Irish and Italians have been, finally?
Living in New York City I don’t have a sense that Latinos are not accepted. In this multicultural city, we are all finding our own direction. In other states of America, there is a lot of cultural unrest, not only Latinos, but many other races are still not accepted even if you are born American. This may never fully change.

06

What role does art have to play in breaking down those barriers?
Art is a means of publicity, highlighting society and life. If it falls in the eyes of the right people, it may increase awareness, others may just appreciate its beauty. I believe each individual brings their own thoughts and reactions when studying art, the artist is not in control of that.

Felipe Merida’s Latinos USA is at Paul Loya Gallery, Los Angeles until October 17.


You might like

Three smiling women wearing glamorous dresses and fur coats posing together.
Culture

The Getty Center’s first exclusively queer exhibition opens today

$3 Bill: Evidence of Queer Lives — Running until September, it features paintings, ephemera, video and photography to highlight LGBTQ+ histories, culture and people from 1900 to the present day.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Man singing at microphone on stage, wearing red shirt and tattoo on arm, playing electric guitar.
Activism

Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong tells ICE to “fuck off” in LA protest video

Saviors — The singer shared the post on Sunday, featuring the band’s recently released song ‘Fuck Off’ as its soundtrack.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Saturated green and white image of a person's face with text overlay stating "CAPITALISM IS EXPLOITATION, PERIOD"
Music

Yaya Bey: “Capitalism is exploitation, period”

do it afraid — Ahead of the release of her second 18-track odyssey in just over a single year, we caught up with the prolific singer, discussing the pitfalls of the music industry, European ‘voyeurism’ framing her previous album and breaking narratives set upon her by others.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Family of 6 people, including 3 children, standing together in front of a wooden fence.
Activism

Meet the Kumeyaay, the indigenous peoples split by the US-Mexico border wall

A growing divide — In northwestern Mexico and parts of Arizona and California, the communities have faced isolation and economic struggles as physical barriers have risen in their ancestral lands. Now, elders are fighting to preserve their language and culture.

Written by: Alicia Fàbregas

A person wearing a red bandana and denim jacket, looking directly at the camera.
Activism

A new book explores Tupac’s revolutionary politics and activism

Words For My Comrades — Penned by Dean Van Nguyen, the cultural history encompasses interviews with those who knew the rapper well, while exploring his parents’ anti-capitalist influence.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Vibrant book covers against bleak, rocky hills and buildings; 'Babylon' and 'Albion' text in bold lettering.
Culture

Dalia Al-Dujaili: “When you’re placeless, nature can fill the void”

Babylon, Albion — As her new book publishes, the British-Iraqi author speaks about connecting with the land as a second-generation migrant, plants as symbols of resistance, and being proud of her parents.

Written by: Zahra Onsori

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.