Katie Mejia, a first-generation Salvadoran American artist from Los Angeles, is deeply intrigued by food's role in how she expresses her identity. She explores how the interplay between her culture's cuisine, ideologies, and entrepreneurship shapes her community. She explores women's connection to food, referencing the societal expectation for women to excel in cooking to be suitable for marriage. Katie is interested in witnessing how connection can be made through food which leads her to frequent various bakeries, restaurants, and grocery stores that acts as significant meeting points for communal interaction. Her exploration of identity through food motivates her to experiment with materials indigenous to Central America, such as metates (stone slabs) and the "three sisters" (beans, squash, and corn). She is particularly captivated by the historical roots of Mesoamerican culture, and references the idea of taste memory. She recognizes the importance of maintaining a diet her ancestors fought to preserve. Previously, she contributed to the Hammer Museum's Gallery Operation and Visitor Experience department, facilitating training on exhibition. Additionally, she collaborated with AMBOS for the Hammer Museum Biennial exhibition, Made in LA, and currently serves as the studio manager for Tanya Aguiñiga. In spring 2024, she will graduate with a BA in Arts from Cal State Dominguez Hills.

 

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