Kay Rangel

La Trenza

La Trenza looks into braiding as a generational practice that holds care, culture, and support. Rangel plays with language and responds to the Mexican saying "echar raíces", which can be understood as the act of finding ground in a new environment. By playing with the imagery of the braid and its' similarity to tree roots, the artist holds the idea of braiding and walking as acts of presence and resilience. BFA Thesis projectPhotographs by Mert Guven

“I keep braiding and pushing forward the many generations of mothers who lived before me so that I could be here. In Mexican culture, braiding transcends generations, embodying self-expression, tradition, and a nurturing practice that fosters interpersonal connections. In an attempt to give materiality to language, La Trenza (The Braid) emerged as a response to the Mexican expression “echar raíces,” which can be understood as the act of building stability and grounding in a new environment. By weaving these elements together, a contemplation of identity flourishes, striving to cultivate a sense of belonging. I aim to employ an unhomely and nostalgic feeling that expresses the socio-political implications of ‘strangeness’ and displacement; walking and braiding then, become an act of presence and resilience. My exploration thus focuses on the sentiments of migration, change, and growth within a contemporary and international context; the use of the body, the shared female tradition, and the ever-present essence and energy from various generations act as a celebration of identity and culture that extols a tradition that is often overlooked. ”