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Q&A with Jose
Jose's colorful image is a great representation of what goes on on the minds of a lot of us undocumented immigrants in this country.
-Julio Salgado, Digital Artist
Revelation of an Undocumented Immigrant
by Jose Ortiz
About the Drawing
The title is “Revelation of an Undocumented Immigrant” and it depicts me sitting on a chair getting ready to write about the things I'll never say. As I am writing, I decide to take off the mask that hides my story to uncover my identity and experiences in life. I used to live in the shadows, hiding myself and my story due to fear. In this drawing, my experiences are depicted as “beings” wearing a unique mask. For me, an experience can be as graphic as the time I was assaulted and beaten, to the simple feeling of the joy I feel when I picture myself as a Medical Doctor. My experiences are a bundle of complicated thoughts, but I remain calm since I am in control. The heart in the middle of my chest indicates the love I have received from my family and community. In my most difficult moments, what kept me going in life was my love for my community. My hope is for you to look at my artwork and see that I have a story to share. I want people to see my work and feel hope, success and much more!