Watch this interview with Chicago-based artist Victoria Martinez, whose solo exhibition Victoria Martinez: Braiding Histories is showing at the Chicago Cultural Center as part of Art Design Chicago. 

A native of Chicago’s Pilsen community, Martinez talks about how the neighborhood she grew up in has influenced her practice. 

“Part of my inspiration stems from Pilsen and the murals and graffiti and street art and contemporary painting.” – Victoria Martinez 

She shares the wide range of materials, messages, and cultural influences that she draws from for her work; from silk curtains and schoolroom overhead projectors to Mexican textiles and pantyhose.