EL COYOTE
Vinyl, Vinyl Awning Fabric, Steel - 5’ x 2’ x 4’ - 2016
El Coyote is made in response to the issue of “unaccompanied minors” seeking refuge in the U.S. “Coyotes”, human traffickers, serve as guides during the perilous migration the children undertake. By definition, these acutely vulnerable children are refugees; however, the U.S.’s reaction to this influx has not been to aid the children, but rather imprison them in detention centers. Utilizing the bodega sign, a cultural marker in immigrant communities, I imagine a sign fitting for the heinous actions employed by our elected leaders. Without context, this bodega sign can seem like a beacon of hope, but when critically analyzed, it reveals a sinister truth.