Artwork copyright Miguel Maltos Gonzales. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2021.

Artwork copyright Miguel Maltos Gonzales. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by J.Ferguson, 2021.

Artwork copyright Elizabeth Gahan. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by J.Ferguson, 2021.

Artwork copyright Miguel Maltos Gonzales. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by J.Ferguson, 2021.

Artwork copyright Miguel Maltos Gonzales. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by J.Ferguson, 2021.

Mijo, 2019

Miguel Maltos Gonzales
(American, born 1973)

Location: Virginia Grainger Elementary, Okanogan

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Miguel Maltos Gonzales is active in creating awareness that Mexican people have an Indigenous heritage in the Americas. His art is a blend of showing people of color literally in color, upon a photograph, to create a single image displaying multiculturalism. Mijo is a photograph of Gonzales' son standing proudly in front of Indigenous blankets, embracing the bicultural heritage he represents as an American and Mexican Indigenous person.

Gonzales describes his process as follows: First: I photograph common areas. This symbolizes the commitment to a tradition but I also adapt to new methods. This shows that traditions evolve as society evolves. Second: I photograph locations that are shared by all people in the community, to bring a sense that we are all in the same space and share responsibility. Third: I draw people of color in color to create a visual that stands out. Our skin color, language, social norms, and cultural practices should be allowed to be expressed openly. Fourth: I use golden sunbeams in all my art as a personal connection to my ancestors that empower me every day to keep making art. The Coahuiltecan of the Payaya land called themselves the people of the sun. I draw sunbeams in the background and foreground to show that ancestors have always guided us to become who we are today. And that they will lead us in becoming the ancestors the next generation deserves.

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Miguel Maltos Gonzales is an American-born Chicano artist blending his Indigenous Mexican and American heritage in illustrated film photography. This tells the story of living with two social norms, languages, traditions, perceptions of history, and seeking a balance between cultures.
During fourteen years in the U.S. Air Force, Gonzales experienced the diversity of America.He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio through the G.I. Bill. While serving his last four years with the WA Air National Guard at Fairchild AFB, he provided mobile medical responses to Washingtonians from natural, biological and chemical disasters. He continues to serve the community as a Spokane Art Commissioner and President of the Hispanic Business Professional Association. Gonzales shares his military, civic and cultural experiences by building equity in local creative commerce and inclusion of diversity in art representation through his podcast and speaking engagements across Washington.
Gonzales was born in San Antonio, Texas and currently lives in Spokane, Eastern Washington.