Kristin “Diane” Morales
they/she
Austin, TX, USA
Kristin "Diane" Morales is a queer and Latin artist originating from El Paso, Texas as well as having lived in Mexico for much of their life. They received their degree as a metalsmith and ceramicist from the University of Texas at El Paso where they began exploring political and social themes in their art. They consider themself an activist who focuses on women and minority rights, particularly in bridging the gap in communication between certain issues and their impact. They also explore the Latin experience and struggles as told through their accounts and obstacles.
“The frame of this broach is copper with electrical components and lights on the inside with the hummingbird acting as the switch. The hummingbird is meant to symbolize the ancestral urge to migrate and stay together while in Aztec mythology ancestors can visit you in the form of hummingbirds. The melancholic blue that reflects with the light inside is meant to act like a porch light that you keep on, symbolizing you “staying up” for someone in case they should return, but is ultimately up to the wearer. It also acts as a beacon for anyone looking for a ‘home’.”
How does your work relate to the theme connection?
“This piece deals with breaking off connections, specifically when we have to cut off contact with someone, but the emotional connection lingers. We may find that we have to cut people off for our own mental health, but even though we know it is better to be without them, we still find ourselves leaving a porch light on for when they hopefully choose to return with a healthy relationship. This piece can also serve as a beacon to others that we understand the pain and hope that comes along with having to sever a connection, especially one very personal and impactful in life."
What role does connection play in your creative process?
“As an artist, I believe in connection in the most literal sense. The only common theme throughout all my artwork comes from a sense of connection and disconnection. I bridge these complicated and sometimes overwhelming concepts and bring them into a bigger conversation. Art can't be created in a vacuum; thus, you must be connected to an idea in one way or another. In my case, the concept and execution are explicitly connected in that the fabrication and research of the of the piece feed directly into the meaning and design of it and vice versa."
What connection(s) does your queerness make to the world around you?
“I believe that my queerness makes me look for connections. Since I was constantly told I didn't belong I took the aspects of my community that resonated with me and sought other avenues for acceptance and involvement. I believe that the fact that I learned what it meant to be hated, feared, and just seen as lesser, helped me look for more genuine and fulfilling connections either in social aspects or just within myself."
"Homing BEAKon", mixed media, 2.4" x 2.8" x 1", 2024Anything else you would like to share about this work? This can be an important part of the process, sourcing materials, or research.
“I believe this work can represent what a lot of people in the LQBTQIA+ community experience, since unfortunately many of us know how it feels to have people leave you or you having to leave them in order to save yourself. This, however, is not exclusive to our community, and as such, many of my work is representative of anyone that can relate to it. People forget that cutting off connections with family and friends takes a lot, not only emotionally, but mentally and sometimes physically as well, it is never an easy thing to do. I wanted my melancholic blue light to become a beacon of hope for some. That should they follow the light that takes effort to turn on, it can be recognized by anyone that needs a ‘home’."