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A tall wooden brown box with doors and engraved designs of various colorful flowers including a cactus with two 3D printed alebrijes on top, one of each side of the box, one yellow, the other green, both with various colorful patterns that match those on the box.

Guarda Mi Corazon

Shelby Hernandez-Olguin

CNC engraved/cut wood, 3D printed sculpture, acrylic paint

Undergraduate
Although I create a few pieces that reflect my culture, I feel the strongest towards the pieces that represent my family. I believe the joy and freedom I feel with the colors I use in my art are thanks to the inspiration I get from my culture. Of course, I wouldn't know as much as I do about my background without my parents, so I wanted to create this piece specifically for them. Guarda Mi Corazon means to guard my heart. The alebrijes on top, a symbol of guardians, and the box beneath, a symbol of my love for my culture. Gifting this piece to my family is a way to show them I have pride for where we come from and I want to hold and protect it forever.