Jodie Herrera "Resiliant Heart Of a Dreamer"

Jodie Herrera "Resiliant Heart Of a Dreamer" 2024

Painting, Oil on Wood
Dimensions: 18 x 24 in
Unique

Herrera’s photorealistic portraits serve as powerful visual narratives, honoring the resilience, identities, and lived experiences of her subjects. Through meticulous detail and profound storytelling, she amplifies the voices of women of color, celebrating their strength while preserving their histories with depth and reverence. As the founder of Women Across Borders, Herrera travels globally to work and paint portraits of refugee and immigrant women, sharing their powerful stories through her art. She hopes to educate and activate her viewers. 

Her work is featured in the permanent collection of  The Smithsonian DC’s Art Archives of America, and has been exhibited in museums across the Southwest and galleries in Los Angeles, New York, Denver…etc.. Herrera’s murals have appeared in iconic locations and projects for Miami Art Basel, Virgin Voyages, and Walt Disney, among others. Her accolades include coverage in The American Art Collector and Beautiful Bizarre magazines, being featured alongside Pussy Riot, Shepard Fairey, and others in the Art of the Protest documentary, as well as being named “Best Visual Artist” by Albuquerque Magazine for three consecutive years.

Deeply connected to her New Mexican roots, Herrera’s art serves as a powerful platform for storytelling, fostering connection, and celebrating the enduring strength of diverse communities.

“This artwork portrays a young Dreamer, an undocumented young lady who Dreams of a life in America where equity, acceptance, and belonging are not just ideals but lived realities. It is a dream of security, where they and their loved ones can live without fear of being uprooted from their homes and communities. At the core of this piece is the Dreamer’s heart crafted from a cactus is a symbol of resilience and protection. Just as the cactus thrives in the harshest conditions, so too does this young Dreamer. The spikes serve as both protection and testament to their unyielding spirit, safeguarding their hope in the face of adversity. The cactus bud is flowering against all odds and adds beauty to all landscapes they bloom in. This painting is a prayer for the undocumented community, not only to be protected from being uprooted but to blossom into their full potential. To have the peace of mind, dignity and the citizenship they deserve in the only home they’ve ever known.” - Jodie Herrera

For more information on the exhibition visit our website.