Earth Mother Bloom at Friends Artspace

Hoesy Corona is used to migration—he is of Mexican descent, and moved to Baltimore after living in Mexico, Utah, and Wisconsin. The experience of moving around so much seeps into Corona’s media installations and storytelling. The queer artist centers and promotes nomadic forms of art in his work to confront the issues that come with migration and seeking refuge. In Earth Mother Bloom, Corona presents scenic, eye-catching ponchos painted with mothers and other migrants as they journey to find a home. The pieces are pops of color along the walls of the brightly lit Friends Artspace exhibition hall in Arlington. The newly designed venue provides a 360-degree experience—Corona’s designs animate the entire space. Constructed from waterproof vinyl and bordered with leather cording, the ponchos could be worn on the body, invoking a sense of security and protection so many wish for as they make perilous journeys across the world. In the painted scenes, migrants traverse nature as they seek a home. “Each poncho is a wish and a prayer for safety and flourishing,” Corona notes in his artist’s statement. His ponchos also cast light on the climate crisis, his queerness, and isolation. Taken alone, each of these themes still relate to trying to find home, safety, and belonging. In Corona’s creations, they intersect with the experience of literally being displaced from home, and being forced to look for one elsewhere. “My hope is to create otherworldly, colorful manifestations that seduce and draw in the audience closer to the work, while challenging their preconceived notions,” Corona artist’s statement continues. Earth Mother Bloom is on display through March 12 at Friends Artspace, 2400 N. Edgewood St., Arlington. friendsartspace.com. Free. By appointment.