Brooklyn Cloth X Gabriel Pilar Pala



For Latinx Heritage Month , Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 , Brooklyn Cloth (Icer Brands) approached me to create three designs that reflect and respond to being a latino raised in New York City. Each design was dropped weekly along with a corresponding interview speaking about each design.











Voy
Oil, acrylic, & color pencil on canvas
11 x 14 in

Voy depicts a young girl returning from a quick supermarket trip. In her black plastic bag are nods to various latinx ingredients like nopal (cactus), canola oil, plantain, sazón (Latino seasoning), and a pack of chicken to cook. Trotting behind her is the small, white, & loyal family dog.

Voy depicts the early independence of a latino native New Yorker; a special kind of freedom that only exists in an inner city context.

Interview about Voy








Cariño
Oil, acrylic, & color pencil on wood panel
10 x 10 in

Cariño depicts two latinx youth indulging in the loving embrace of their abuela. An elderly feminine presence who adorns faith and unconditional love; with withered hands that have looked over the youth and herself for decades.

Cariño demonstrates the importance of intergenerational healing and challenges the stigma around mental health in the latinx community, a topic usually dismissed or ignored.


Interview about Cariño












On The Stoop
Digital, Photoshop & Procreate |  8 x 12 in


On The Stoop depicts neighbors hanging out on their apartment stairs together. This tradition of sitting on a stoop is a native New Yorker’s version of enjoying the outdoors and is a common occurrence in Latino and black neighborhoods. It captures unifying moments such as braiding hair, chatting, and eating together. Details include a rat tail comb, piragua (shaved ice), latino takeout & street food and a red awning akin to those found in Hispanic neighborhoods in Queens.


Interview about On The Stoop


Sketches




Full Collection







Credits
Creative Project Manager: Daniella Seminario
Designer/Artist: Gabriel Pilar Pala
Videography & Digital Content: Christopher Alessi
© 2024 Gabriel Pilar Pala