MEZTLI PROJECTS
Meztli Projects supports the creative development of Native and Indigenous artists.
We were founded with the intent to address the severe lack of artistic opportunities for Native and Indigenous Artists as-well-as systems-impacted youth living and creating in Los Angeles County (Tovaangar). This work takes shape in several forms such as for-hire opportunities, advocating for truly equitable resources such as but not limited to funding and culturally authentic (not just relevant) programming, and training future and emerging cultural workers.
Contact
Instagram
Rihanna Barrera
rihannabarrera27@gmail.com
@theworldisyayas
Rihanna Barrera is a Chicana mixed-media artist born and raised in Los Angeles. She is also an emerging art director and curator pursuing a degree in art at Cal State University, Los Angeles. She focuses on transforming the pain from her community into power and pride through art. Her art is heavily inspired by her upbringing in South Central and East LA, as well as Chicano culture, including the Lowrider Community and LA’s Graffiti styles.
She works primarily in sculpture, painting, stained glass, ceramics, and photography. When asked about her work, she explained, “I don't make art to profit off struggle or to glamorize the issues my community faces. I strive to empower, reflect, and document real experiences—my own and those of my family and neighborhood. I know people outside my community might feel uncomfortable or not understand my work, but what I hope is that for anyone who sees their own story in mine, they feel proud of their community.” Her art is raw, thoughtful, and with an observant but nuanced perspective. “My work is grounded in real experiences and real life. The message I hope my art conveys is: this is where I come from, this is what I’ve seen, and this is what I’ve made of it.”
Barrera says her sculpture El Castillo, which is her representation of the pink apartment complex where she grew up and reflects much of her community. She shares that the piece is an homage to her upbringing in South Los Angeles, her family, and childhood inspirations that influence the artist she is today. Barrera writes “[f]rom graffiti to street murals, I have learned to appreciate this expressive art form, which is evident in my work style. This building was a doorway to the realities of the world, but also a refuge from it.”
El Castillo was exhibited during Meztli Projects’ exhibition Waning Crescent at OXY ARTS located at 4757 York Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90042 (June 12 to July 19, 2025).
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