Destyni “Desi” Swoope: Abuela’s House
@ The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
3015 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
Opening Saturday, September 6th, from 10AM - 2PM
On view through Saturday, July 18th
Abuela’s House transcends the traditional notion of an exhibition; it is a love letter to identity, cultural inheritance, craftsmanship, and home. Each of the seventeen scenes realized by Destyni “Desi” Swoope’s own hands are a true mix of paint, found objects, and an eclectic collection of fabric. This exhibition is an intimate exploration of the enduring creative and personal influence of the artist’s maternal great-grandmother, and a celebration of the magic of time, wisdom, and love channeled by a single person. The exhibition and its accompanying text are curated by Zee Lopez Del Carmen.
A force in Caribbean culture, abuela isn’t simply the person to guide us or make us feel at home in moments when we don’t even know what home looks like. She’s the personification of our history, the rich soil from which we sprout and bloom into our fullest, truest selves. For families that have experienced immigration, abuela is the bridge to everything that affects our past, present, and future. Abuela’s House encourages us to understand that the colors of our lives come directly from the seeds our ancestors sowed for us, and we now have the opportunity to bloom freely, wildly, and on our own terms.
Desi has loved on each piece from conception to the final stitch. Layers of found fabrics and secondhand clothes are expertly hand-sewn into the artist’s uniquely electric and playful color palette. Yellows, blues, purples, and pinks, breathe life into scenes of a game of dominó (Heirloom, 2023), colorful neighborhoods made of stacked buildings (Boriken, 2023), cafecito cups from Abuela’s Kitchen (2023), and even Papi and Abuela’s Anniversary (2024). The colors and textures found in her work are the manifestations of her grandmother’s grace and prayers.
Ultimately, Desi patchworks the spirit of the Puerto Rican/Caribbean women who have carried on for generations, whose traditions and beliefs inspired her to dream for them and for herself. “Our stories and lives should not succumb to extinction amidst the rapid evolution of the world,” Swoope says. “Through Abuela’s House, I assert the great significance in cultural preservation, despite the complexities of identity and societal expectations.” This exhibition prompts us to reclaim the power of our memories. The artwork made for this debut museum exhibition paints the tapestry of her Abuela’s legacy as the vibrant, living foundation of her family.
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Tags: Abuela’s House, Chicago, Destyni “Desi” Swoope, Humboldt Park, The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, Zee Lopez Del Carmen
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