Carrie Anne Gonzalez

The Struggle is comprised of (5) 28 x 36 pieces, 4 of which are women, the 5th, a man. All of the pieces distinctly show the representation of a class structure, of the struggling and suffering of women, and of workers. The women are all turned away from the camera.  In contrast, the man is faceless, covered by a clay mask, his working hands outstretched before the viewer as if he is giving and waiting to receive… only nothing comes his way. The struggle shows the very real pain of life. The pieces are all connected through the treatment of the hands and face. In these works, is a complete stripping of identity.

Strongly inspired by with work of Siqueiros, The Struggle as a whole, is not only representative of the struggle of women in day to day life, but as it was with Siquerios so long ago, it is a representation of the working class; conveying their weathered, worn lives and inner turmoil. 

This idea dates back to the time of French painter, Gustave Courbet, who was paramount in the emergence of Realism in the mid nineteenth century. Additionally, painters, such as Van Gogh, Jean Francios Millet, or the Mexican Muralists, just to name a few, who painted the faces of peasants, showing the working man or rural poverty.

The methods used in photographing Mother and Child were very different from the closed studio methods of the other works in the series. In Mother and Child, I decided to use nature as my studio space, looking to the work of one of my favorite photographers, Irving Penn, in particular, his indigenous series. The use of the blue blanket with an eagle woven into the fabric, has a double meaning: The first, the “blue,” is a reference to the Madonna and Child, the second, the eagle or the “Cuauhtli,” is a symbol of the Mexican Homeland. The eagle holds a specific association to the Aztec Empire. It was incorporated into the flag of the United Farm Workers labor union, giving it a direct connection to the working class of Mexico.

Limited Edition 24”x36” Canvas Prints $325

Photo Prints (Unframed) -
12”x18” - $75
20”x30” - $150
24”x36” - $200

*Veterans and Active Duty Military receive 10% off with proof of service.