In “Past, Present, Future” I am wearing five Guadalupe necklaces that have been given to me throughout my life. The large gold medallion is a replica of a necklace my grandmother wore all her life. That necklace represents the past. The top three necklaces, gifts from my mom and my partner, represent the present. And the small gold charm — which can be interpreted as a woman’s anatomy, a shell, or an image of Guadalupe —  represents the future.  

I made this image in 2022 when I was feeling excited and hopeful for the year ahead. As I was creating this image, I was thinking about how my past informed my present — but how, ultimately, it doesn’t need to define my future. The future can be whatever we want it to be. At any given time, we have the power to redefine, recalibrate, and make things anew. 

Thank you to Der Greif for the opportunity to share my work and process. You can see more of my series “Guadalupe” on my website.