zoila márquez
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CV
Archive, 2023—Ongoing
Inherited photos, film negatives, and miscellaneous objects
Following the passing of my great-grandmother, the matriarch of my family, I came to the realization that I was uncertain of my ancestral lineage and origins.
While preparing for the funeral, my discomfort with grief led me to the rusted shed in the backyard of my family’s home. The shed was filled with weathered, severely water-damaged boxes that had long been neglected. Box by box, I excavated the shed as my family looked on.
In our shared grief, my family collectively sat and sifted through the contents of each box—uncovering lost and missed items. Of interest to me were piles and piles of photographs, film negatives, and odd, sentimental objects.
After hours of organizing and transporting these items, I was entrusted to establish our family archive. This undertaking has transformed into a process of reconnection, allowing me to encounter versions of family members that existed generations before me.
The project is ongoing, and its impact on my practice is constantly evolving.