Soy Artista: Existence is resistance, exploring the arts with Sage Alucero

by Leslie Ortega and Leslie Castillo

Sage Alucero is a multimedia artist that weaves interconnection with the earth and queer expression. Their art exists outside the limitations of the colonial binary. 

Currently working out of their home studio in Arcata, Alucero’s space is filled with candles and art including mushrooms, plants and a warm welcome from their cat named Clove.

Looking back on their early years, Alucero described how they began creating art in elementary school through projects that allowed them to explore different artists’ styles like self portraits and landscape art.

“I feel like that gave me a reference point of seeing like okay people do this as a job throughout their lives. So it kind of gave me the validity that it was a route that I could take,” Alucero said. 

Alucero would later go on to graduate in 2022, with their bachelor’s degree in studio art with a minor in the history of art and visual culture at UC Santa Cruz. 

Through their work, Alucero aims to dismantle the narratives that seek to marginalize or erase queer identities—a declaration of resilience and visibility. 

“I’m just hoping to reaffirm to queer people that we have always been here and will continue to be here,” Alucero said. “The structures around us that seek to erase us, no matter how hard they try, they will not succeed.”

Alucero is also adamant about the landback movement and Indigenous sovereignty. These movements work towards self-determination which calls for the current power structures in place to shift direct responsibility to Indigenous communities and their people in relation to the lands they were historically removed from.

“In terms of addressing climate chaos, the landback movement is extremely important. So one of the goals of my art is in general, to support Indigenous sovereignty and also as a method of rediscovering Mesoamerican art and visual culture,” Alucero said when asked about their focus of study. 

One of their most recent pieces is a self-portrait oil painting called, “Romero/Rabbit,” which captures their personal journey through healing after top surgery. 

“I wanted to connect with what it meant to heal being in recovery physically but also spiritually undergoing this transformation. I was thinking a lot about what it would feel like for a rabbit to run through medicinal plants,” Alucero said. 

The oil painting exemplifies a rabbit overlaying Alucero’s portrait with romero (rosemary) cascading behind and in front of them. 

The intentions towards highlighting environmental justice and queer justice was apparent throughout the wall of Alucero’s work displayed in their home. The essence permeates across bounds that are not often highlighted in museums or “common media”. 

Alucero shared how embroidery first captured their imagination during their early teenage years. 

“When I was about 12 or 14 years old, I got really into it,” Alucero said. “I was taking it everywhere I was going, making little patches and stuff.” 

However, after moving away from the structured space of the printmaking studio back at their school, Alucero found a desire for an accessible and hands-on artistic outlet. 

“I’m very interested in fiber arts,” Alucero said. “I feel like I’m still evolving.”

Now, as they pick up embroidery again, they’re eager to see where it takes them next. 

“We are weaving the worlds that we want to create,” Alucero said in reflection of their embroidery piece called “Mystics”, which depicts figures braiding each other’s hair along with the cosmos made out of recycled fabrics, fibers and beachcombing findings.

When asked if they could give advice to other artists out there, Alucero said, “Don’t listen to conventions of structure…there is a time and place to learn technique but as far as combining and experimenting, just go for it! Know that art is something that can just be for you. It can just be to nourish your own spirit. It doesn’t have to live in a museum.”

Previous works like “Teonanacatl,” an oil painting inspired by psilocybin mushrooms, was featured in a show called “Nepantla Spora” held by POC Fungi Community in San Diego, CA. 

Future and current projects can be found on Alucero’s instagram profile @alucero777.