Gloria “Gem” Sanchez is a Xicana-Filipina American interdisciplinary artist and art educator that works in painting, assemblage, weaving, installation, and sign making. Her use of everyday objects blended with traditional art materials and techniques invokes the art concept of ‘Rasquache,’ or ‘Rasquachismo,’ which signify a resourceful sensibility to create art. It is making the most out of the least with the inclusion of found and recycled elements. Many of her recent works merge sculpture, painting, and weaving to transpose symbols she learned growing up within a hybrid, culturally blended environment. Her intentions come from a place of decolonization, as well as transcending the effects of intergenerational trauma and marginalization by preserving family histories.

In recent years, Gloria has incorporated hair within her installation works due to a belief in its capacity to harness memories and personal power. It is a symbol and literal extension of our spiritual essence, strength, and resilience when gathered and manipulated into a type of braid or cordage to merge with other materials. Her work with fibers is representative of the many interconnecting and intersectional layers that manifest in our emotional and physical existence as a woman of color in America. Gloria is dedicated to her art practices as a means of spiritual survival and art for healing.

Working and residing in the Harbor/ South Bay area of Tovaangar (Los Angeles), Gloria “Gem” Sanchez earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting with a minor in Art Education from Cal State Puvungna (Long Beach) in 2014.

Watch Gloria’s video interview with ñ here.

Gloria Sanchez

Mark Hocutt

Hugo Lomeli