Labor of Love: Artist Freddy Diaz Connects Colors of Mexico to Southwest Detroit

Emilio Cuevas

Staying home and staying safe has helped Southwest Detroit artist Freddy Diaz create some of his best work yet.

For his new digital exhibition at M Contemporary Art gallery, Diaz challenged himself to explore primary colors and their connection to elements of his Mexican heritage. 

The exhibition is called “4/17” and also features work from Detroit-based artist MALT. It’s on digital display through Saturday, May 9th. You can view it via Artsy here.

“It’s a responsibility as an artist to use our gift to bring comfort.” — Freddy Diaz, visual artist

Growing up in a Mexican household, Diaz was curious about how both the culture and the colors follow immigrants who make their way to Michigan.

“Being Mexican and living up in Michigan, we’re so far away from Mexico,” laughs Diaz. “[Mexicans] working here come with a purpose to make a living, to provide for their families — but it’s not by choice sometimes that they leave their home. They’re working, but they miss home.”

Listen to the full conversation with Freddy Diaz featuring the music that inspired his artwork

Freddy Diaz / M Contemporary Art

Using a series of striking sugar skull figures, Diaz paid homage to Mexican laborers who often pass their skill from one generation to the next, ensuring the process and techniques live on after they’ve passed away.

In his painting “Abrazos Tejidos (woven hugs),” Diaz depicts a woman weaving a traditional zarpae blanket. 

“Bebida de Dioses (drink of gods),” depicts a man harvesting agave to make pulque — a fermented alcoholic drink made from the same plant that produces mezcal and tequila.

“As an artist, that became part of my purpose — to create this new home and keep some of the traditionals alive that exist down there up here,” says Diaz. “It’s a responsibility as an artist to use our gift to bring comfort.”