Mammalian

Tanya Aguiñiga transforms traditional craft materials such as natural fibers, cotton, wool, and textiles into intricate sculptures and installations that explore gender, identity, and nationality. Drawing inspiration from Mesoamerican and pre-Columbian Latin American craft traditions, she weaves intricate structures and incorporates terracotta elements to create deeply layered works. As a binational citizen of Mexico and the United States, Aguiñiga infuses her practice with personal experience, shedding light on the often-unseen stories of transnational communities and the cultural histories that shape them.

Mammalian comprehensively looks at Tanya Aguiñiga’s work from 2013 to 2024, highlighting her evolving use of traditional craft materials and her shift toward larger, more intricate compositions. Pieces such as Somos mujeres (We are women) ,2024, and Untitled ,2013, exemplify her mastery of cotton, wool, and textiles while addressing themes of gender and identity. Additionally, works such as Ejercicios en entendimiento (Exercises in Understanding) ,2020, reflect Aguiñiga’s experiences as a binational citizen while addressing contemporary political and human rights issues at the United States-Mexico border. In this piece, she incorporates cotton dyed with pulverized border fencing, transforming the physical remnants of division into a powerful commentary on identity, migration, and the impact of national boundaries. Through the works in this exhibition, Aguiñiga continues to merge traditional craft with urgent social commentary, offering a poignant reflection on resilience and resistance.