¡Despierta America!

The graphic work of Nicolás de Jésus, a member of Mexico’s Indigenous Nahua community, often relates to themes of immigration, urban life, social injustice, and cultural identity. Here, in a work whose title translates as “Wake Up, America!,” the Statue of Liberty is enchained in darkness and under attack, with the American flag to the side. Yet a small ray of hope is present as a white bird, resembling a dove, flies above. As is evident here, the artist often works on traditional amate paper, made of bark.