"Crossing Over" by John Gallegos
Mixed Media (Watercolor, colored pencil, conte, pastel, pencil) on watercolor paper
Framed: 11" x 14"
Artist Statement: I am an artist living in the South Valley of Albuquerque, NM. My formal education includes a BFA from New Mexico State University and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, IL. My artwork is generally non-political in nature, but I am acutely aware of the ongoing crisis at the border. The image I have created is my idea of what I feel about overcoming all the many obstacles and hardships attempting to get into the US. A person needs to have a hope that is greater than anything put in their way to make it into the US. It can be done. No fence or wall should decide “here” or “there” to keep out those who need refuge, sanctuary, or opportunity. Indeed this nation was made powerful and prosperous in part by immigrants who needed such things. If we could allow the mass migrations of Europe’s disenfranchised at Ellis Island we can allow the people of South and Central America in Texas and California.