Artist's Statement
Alejandra Carrillo-Estrada is a native of the Ciudad Juárez and El Paso U.S.–Mexico border region. In 2009, she acquired a BFA from the University of Texas at El Paso, graduating Cum Laude with concentrations in metalsmithing and sculpture. In 2018, she received her MFA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Carillo-Estrada explores themes related to identity, border culture, and social justice. Conceptually, she focuses on liminality in both geographical and symbolical contexts to approach the semiotics of adornment. Her overall vision is to understand political problems holistically and provide social commentary through the creations of objects, sculptures, performances, and jewelry.