Artwork copyright Kristen Ramirez. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Kristen Ramirez. Photo courtesy of the curator, Philippe Hyojung Kim, 2021.

Artwork copyright Kristen Ramirez. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2021.

Artwork copyright Kristen Ramirez. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Yakima Valley Photography, 2022.

Artwork copyright Kristen Ramirez. Photo courtesy of the curator, Philippe Hyojung Kim, 2021.

Border Abstractions: San Diego / Tijuana, 2018

Kristen Ramirez
(American, born 1971, died 2021)

Location: Simcoe Elementary, Wapato

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

In Border Abstractions: San Diego / Tijuana artist Kristen Ramirez investigates the U.S.-Mexico border starting with the truth that “the border crossed us.” Before the Mexican-American War (1846-48), Mexico extended far into what is now the United States. By mashing up businesses and iconography from both sides of the border, Ramirez looks at how the two cities of San Diego in the U.S. and Tijuana in Mexico line up along the border. They combine and overlap and are mixed up, like the parts of this painting.

This artwork is part of a curated collection by Philippe Hyojung Kim in 2021 at Simcoe Elementary, in Wapato, Central Washington. The local art selection committee stressed the following interests: artworks that represent Wapato’s diverse families and its rural and agricultural communities; the connection to the Yakama Nation; and artworks that focus on balance and are reflective of young minds.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Wapato School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Kristen Ramirez (1971-2021) created art that explores many different media, including printmaking, drawing, painting, and community-based projects and murals. She also managed public art projects for the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture and served as artist-in-residence for the Seattle Department of Transportation.
Ramirez earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of California Santa Cruz and a Master of Arts degree in education from San Francisco State University. She earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in printmaking from the University of Washington in Seattle. She taught drawing and printmaking at Cornish College of the Arts, the University of Washington, Pratt Fine Arts Center, Edmonds Community College, and through Path with Art, a non-profit that serves adults in recovery.