Realidades Fronterizas

University of Arizona School of Art graduate student Vanessa Saavedra examines and reflects on the complex realities of life at the U.S.-Mexico border in her solo exhibition “Realidades Fronterizas.”

Growing up in Nogales, Sonora, after moving from Jalisco at 8 years old, Saavedra said she experienced firsthand how the border shaped her identity. With support from a Confluencenter grant and Special Collections, she draws from the University of Arizona Libraries’ “Reclaiming Border Narratives” archive to express the emotions and cultural dimensions of border life through painting.

Two of Saavedra’s paintings depict cars waiting at the border.

“The border’s physical and metaphorical lines directly influenced my perspective, symbolizing waiting, transition and daily movement,” Saavedra said. “Through my work, I invite viewers to actively engage with this intersection of culture, struggle and resilience.”