“Para mi familia, la tierra, y yo is a reflection of my experiences in Missouri and Puerto Rico. As a queer Latina, I often find myself navigating a deep sense of in-betweenness—a feeling that art and nature help me to work through. In my work, I draw inspiration from Missouri’s prairie landscapes, taking walks and hikes whenever I can, and photographs, both digital and from family albums, to reimagine my memories of Puerto Rico. Since I don’t get to visit the island often, my art has become a way to reconnect with my culture and celebrate its many layers.”

— Jaede Bayala