As of 2022, there are over 38.8 million U.S. residents that identify as Mexicans living in the United States, representing one of the largest populations of Latino identifying groups in the country.[1] Yet despite their size, Mexican Americans face a unique set of challenges related to cultural identity, assimilation, and the constant tension between their Mexican heritage and American nationality. This duality—of being both Mexican and American—can create a feeling of displacement for many, particularly for younger generations born in the U.S. who may feel caught between two worlds and cultures. How can the tradition of printmaking illustrate the cultural and political dynamics of Mexican Americans in the United States, bringing to light parallels between social issues and reflecting Mexican American identity?

Pressing Matters: Culture Has No Borders is a collection of linocut and letterpress posters highlighting and exploring the various facets of being Mexican American. Each poster was inspired by Mexican printmakers, José Guadalupe Posada and Ángel Bracho, who’ve utilized the art form as a way to illustrate pride, nationality, and political commentary in Mexico during the early 1900s. 

This thesis aims to initiate the conversation on cultural identity, celebrate the pride of Mexican culture, and create a voice for future generations of Mexican Americans in the United States by connecting traditional printmaking to current social and political identity issues.Ultimately, the poster series speaks to the experiences of Mexican Americans living in the "in-between" space—the space where two identities coexist creating a newfound appreciation of self.

[1] Jeanne, Batalova. “Mexican Immigrants in the United States.” Migration Policy Institute,  8 Oct. 2024, www.migrationpolicy.org/article/mexican-immigrants-united-states#:~:text=As%20of%202023%2C%2010.9%20million,destination%20for%20Mexican%20migrants%20worldwide.