Mariana Tapia Sanchez
Thesis Title (PhD)
ART, COMMUNITY, AND IDENTITY-MAKING: REDEFINING ‘LATIN AMERICAN-NESS’ ABROAD ANDEXPLORING CULTURAL NETWORKS FOR LATINXS LIVING IN THE UK
My transdisciplinary research examines how Latinx contemporary art can drive social change by exploring identity formation and community building within the growing Latinx community in the UK. I propose a redefinition of 'Latin-American-ness' from the perspective of Latinx individuals abroad, applying a critical intercultural lens that centres on the artistic and cultural sector. By mapping and analyzing curatorial initiatives and contemporary art exhibitions in the UK, I investigate how Latinx identity-making emerges as a transformative, resilient process—a complex, non-disposable, non-homogeneous, and non-binary element grounded in lived experiences, belonging, and social integration. This perspective involves rethinking identity and exploring how artistic, cultural, and curatorial initiatives can empower Latinx individuals and communities to engage more authentically with others, fostering deeper mutual understanding with the UK host society.