About the Artist
My name is Elena Guadiana Segovia and I am a Second Generation Mexican-American ceramic/mixed media artist in Indianapolis, Indiana. I am a self taught artist that works with mediums like ceramic, plasters, fabric, and fashion. My interest in the arts began early in childhood. The feeling I had when I played in the mud as a child felt like a premonition of my career as a ceramic artist. It felt right.In high school, I had mentors who nurtured my creativity in digital deign, fashion, and ceramics. I was able to find my style after doing some shadow work.
Religion has always been a complicated relationship for me. I see so much beauty in all different types of religions especially catholicism. But there’s also a dark history attached to them that was hard for me to ignore. Being raised in a Mexican household meant we were also raised catholics.Being raised catholic felt intimidating. I always felt a deep guilt that being an undevoted child would bring shame upon myself and my family. Fear that I would be punished for everything I acted upon.
Through art, I was able to release the tension that I felt mentally and channeled it into ceramics. In turn I felt empowered to use my platform as a young artist to speak against those who abused power. As an adult, I still feel attached to the religion I was raised in because this feels deeper than what I experienced or what the generations before me experienced.
Through my work, I plan to protest against the attacks on LGBTQ+/women’s rights, immigrant rights, and the hypocrisies within the catholic/Christian communes.