This is the fourth of four small defined display spaces called nooks. Each serves as an introduction to the exhibit section. This section is called “Shaping the Nation.”   

Nook Description

In the center of the display in a clear glass case is a ceramic tree of life made by Mexican artist Verónica Castillo. Behind it is a large, backlit, green photograph of a New York City skyline from the roof of a building. On the right wall, a boy runs with a kite. Projected onto the wall behind the tree of life is a 10-minute video with music showing Latinos and Latinas dancing, playing dominoes, performing, and protesting. In front of the tree of life is a rail with signature object label and touchable.

Tree of Life

This type of clay sculpture is called a Tree of Life. It recreates some of the historical moments and people in this section of the exhibit. It was designed by award-winning artist Verónica Castillo. Raised in a family of artists in Izúcar de Matamoros in Puebla, Mexico, Castillo brought this tradition with her when she immigrated to the United States. 

 

Raíces, historia y justicia latinas (Latino Roots, History, and Justice). Verónica Castillo, 2022.  

The Tree of Life being created at Verónica Castillo’s studio.  

Tree of Life Description

Tree of Life is about fifty-three inches tall and forty-three inches in diameter. It consists of a painted clay domed base with a central trunk that rises upward. Coming out of the trunk are ceramic branches which loop back into the tree in symmetrical patterns. Colorful ceramic figurines of Latinos and Latinas stand at the base of the tree and on various tree branches. Hanging from the branches are ceramic animals, objects, and flowers. 

The Tree of Life in 3D

Verónica Castillo (b. 1967) is an award-winning ceramicist. Castillo created this Tree of Life (El Árbol de la Vida in Spanish) for the National Museum of the American Latino’s debut exhibition, ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States. This Tree of Life, titled Raíces, historia y justicia latinas (Latino Roots, History, and Justice) visualizes themes from ¡Presente!

Explore the Tree of Life!