![](https://sites.uwm.edu/studio-art-ba-bfa/files/2023/02/Fernandez-Chavez_Leydi_headshot_Leydi-Fernandez-Chav.jpg)
BFA, Studio Art (Fibers)
leydichavez12@gmail.com
www.leydidiana.co
https://www.instagram.com/_leydi_diana/
Artist Statement
Speed of life
In this series of wearable garments, I explore the duality of inhabiting two cultures – Mexican and American. The first piece is a vest that brings together and contrasts traditional practices, weaving and screen-printing. Circle motifs are used to interrupt the weaving. The weaving is more subtle in color and softer compared to the other screen-printed brighter side, that borrows vibrant color from Mexican culture. The second garment is my interpretation of two cultures coming together through a colorful knot of various connected garment elements. This knot makes it possible for the garment to be reconfigured and be worn in a variety of ways. The third piece is pure black with different textures and embroidery. Black is used to allude to the darkness and mourning I experience navigating the two cultural identities. The embroidery is a letter I am writing to myself, reflecting on my time spent in the US as I prepare to leave.
![](https://i2.wp.com/sites.uwm.edu/studio-art-ba-bfa/files/2023/05/Fernandez-Chavez_Speedoflife_1_Leydi-Fernandez-Chav-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/sites.uwm.edu/studio-art-ba-bfa/files/2023/05/Fernandez-Chavez_Speedoflife_2_Leydi-Fernandez-Chav-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/sites.uwm.edu/studio-art-ba-bfa/files/2023/05/Fernandez-Chavez_Speedoflife_3_Leydi-Fernandez-Chav-683x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/sites.uwm.edu/studio-art-ba-bfa/files/2023/05/Fernandez-Chavez_Speedoflife_4_Leydi-Fernandez-Chav-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/sites.uwm.edu/studio-art-ba-bfa/files/2023/05/Fernandez-Chavez_Speedoflife_5_Leydi-Fernandez-Chav-683x1024.jpg?ssl=1)