'Picturing the Border' explores art and identity at U.S.-Mexico divide

Nadiah Rivera Fellah’s book highlights artists’ reflections on life, culture, and humanity along the border.

Illustration by Phil Jones

By Hayu Andini and Widya Lestari

Picturing the Border, by Nadiah Rivera

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Nadiah Rivera Fellah’s Picturing the Border offers a profound exploration of the U.S.-Mexico border, presenting the region’s complex identity through the lens of art and culture. Published by the Cleveland Museum of Art, this compelling book features the work of 17 artists who document the evolving realities of life along the borderlands. With striking visuals and incisive commentary, Fellah’s curation provides a poignant look at the humanity, resilience, and creativity of the communities shaped by the boundary.

An unforgettable aerial photograph sets the tone for the book. Captured by Miguel Fernández de Castro in his 2019 film, the image shows the border fence cutting through a large mound in the Sonoran Desert. Shadows cast by the fence stretch across the sand, creating the illusion of enormous tire tracks. The starkness of this man-made boundary, described by poet Wendy Trevino as a “cruel fiction,” underscores its artificiality and the violence of its imposition—a marker of colonization and enforced separation.

Fellah, a curator at the Cleveland Museum of Art with deep personal ties to the Texas borderlands through her mother’s family, brings a unique perspective to this work. Her insights, along with those of contributing writers, illuminate the border’s shifting historical, cultural, and psychological landscapes. One such contributor, poet Natalie Scenters-Zapico, recalls her teenage years moving between El Paso and Ciudad Juárez. Before the war on drugs and the rise of militarized surveillance, the border existed as a more fluid space. For Scenters-Zapico, the boundary holds a “metaphorical, imaginative, and psychic power” that shapes regional life and culture.

The book spans decades, featuring artistic works dating back to the 1960s. These pieces highlight the dualities of border life: Mixteco farmworkers traveling from Oaxaca to California, Tijuana as both a tourist destination and a point of departure for emigrants, and the vibrant lowrider culture of East Los Angeles. Ricardo Valverde’s work portrays lowriders customizing their cars with flames, mariachi hats, and Mexican flags, reflecting a blend of American and Mexican identities. Meanwhile, Louis Carlos Bernal and Graciela Iturbide capture the emergence of a cross-border identity, defined by icons such as cholos, matriarchs, and the Virgin of Guadalupe.

This merging of worlds is beautifully summarized by Chicana feminist Gloria Anzaldúa, who described the Virgin of Guadalupe as “a synthesis of the old world and the new.” Such syntheses are at the heart of Picturing the Border, where images emphasize the humanity and dignity of the borderlands’ residents.

The photographs and artwork included in the book go beyond stereotypes, offering a nuanced and deeply human portrayal of life along the border. Gang members are depicted in everyday moments, such as applying mascara or lying in bed, their poses recalling classical art like Titian’s Venus of Urbino. These images challenge preconceived notions and present their subjects as multi-dimensional individuals.

One particularly striking photograph features a young Latina mother leaning against a lowrider, dressed in pristine Nike Air Force 1s. She breastfeeds her child while gazing confidently into the camera, embodying strength and defiance. Another unforgettable image captures pink seesaws installed along the border fence by artists Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello. The playful installation transforms the imposing barrier into a shared playground, symbolizing connection despite division.

Through these and other works, Picturing the Border reveals a region where pain, separation, and surveillance coexist with creativity, resilience, and community. The artists featured in the book use their work to challenge the narrative of the border as a place of purely conflict and despair. Instead, they highlight the rich cultural tapestry and enduring spirit of the people who call the borderlands home.

Fellah’s curation is deeply rooted in the idea of preserving humanity amidst the political and social forces that shape the border. The book also provides a platform for underrepresented voices, showcasing perspectives that are often overlooked in mainstream discourse. By centering the experiences of those who live and work along the border, Picturing the Border offers a more holistic and empathetic understanding of this contested space.

As readers move through the book, they encounter a mosaic of stories and images that challenge simplistic narratives. From the migrant workers navigating the challenges of transnational labor to the families maintaining traditions across borders, each piece adds depth to the broader conversation about immigration, identity, and belonging.

While Picturing the Border primarily focuses on visual art, it also invites readers to reflect on the symbolic and literal implications of borders in their own lives. The book’s contributors emphasize the psychological and emotional weight of boundaries, urging us to consider how these divisions shape our perceptions of self and other.

Ultimately, Nadiah Rivera Fellah’s Picturing the Border is a celebration of resilience and creativity in the face of adversity. It is a testament to the power of art to document, challenge, and reimagine the world we live in. By capturing the complexity of life along the U.S.-Mexico border, the book provides an invaluable archive of voices and visions that deserve to be seen and heard.

For those interested in art, social justice, or the intersection of culture and politics, Picturing the Border is an essential read. It not only offers a rich visual and narrative experience but also encourages readers to think critically about the role of borders in shaping our world. With its blend of striking imagery and insightful commentary, Fellah’s work stands as a powerful contribution to the ongoing dialogue about identity, belonging, and humanity.

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