Paletas/icecream, 2024.
180/gsm paper, sewing thread, wool felt, painted paper. Purchase
—
Art by Delisha McKinney
Poem by Paloma V.
—
Artesian St
I used to wait for the icecream truck every day
I would scour the couch in search of copper circles with passionless men on them
I was a late bloomer, the clock didn’t talk to me, so i never knew his name
I would know the icecream man was coming when i heard the ball on the street stop,
while the rhythm of feet rumbled on the cracked road
Arroz con leche, my belly would murmur a mis orejas too big for my moonface, hidden under my black mop of hair i had refused to let be tamed by mi mamá antier
But today i let her claw my hair into a trenza because there weren’t enough copper circles in the couch
el cucuy snatched them last night
Cooperation and silence in exchange for my favorite time of day
Oh, but that was not yesterday
My center of gravity is not a foot from the floor
time is not foreign, solitude is
I think I am still waiting for the icecream man
But he is retired, the truck’s tune has turned into a siren song
Unfamiliar, yet visceral
And the paletero was robbed, so now he charges double
I don’t buy paletas much anymore
I couldn’t keep the paletas from melting
But the sweet stickiness reverberates
Y el recuerdo me llena
—
Paloma V. is a multi-disciplinary creative from Illinois.
Delisha Mckinney | Delisha’s art invites viewers to explore the beauty and vibrancy of a world beyond the harsh realities of life. Through her use of various mediums, including acrylic painting, photography, felting, embroidery, sculpture works, and ceramics, Delisha creates pieces that bridge the gap between fantasy and reality. The combination of these elements allows viewers to feel as if they can step into the artwork itself. Despite addressing serious subjects such as death and isolation, Delisha’s art maintains its innocence and childlike wonder. By telling stories through the eyes of a child, she emphasizes the importance of healing our own inner child in order to better care for the children of today. The quote “Because they are us” serves as a reminder that the well-being and happiness of children are directly connected to our own. Through her storytelling, Delisha creates a world that is fun, beautiful, and vibrant, offering an escape from the bleakness of reality. Her work encourages viewers to tap into their own imaginations and embrace their emotions with openness and curiosity. By reminding us of the joy and innocence that can be found even in the face of adversity, Delisha’s art invites us to reflect on our own experiences and find hope and beauty in the human experience.
—
1000 Words | Home Not Home Artists + Writers
Noa Alemán + Tamar Brooks • Jacqueline Almaguer + Alanis Castillo Caref • Lexi Alvarado + Isabela Ortega • Danielle Arend + Janina Gatilao • Sofia Brunwin + Spencer Hutchinson • Andrea Cole + Rocio Franco • Lydia Collins + Tarnynon Onumonu • Gregory Diaz + Irvin Ibarra • Danielle Dykerhouse + Betsy Van Die • Jonathan Espinoza + ben-aki • Jaymes Fedor + Maria Requena • Samantha Franco + Angeles Rangel • Ines Gardea + Angelica Davila • Frank Geiser + Penny Mann • Evelyn Hernandez + Valeria Osornio • Stephanie Hererra + Neha Chawla • Ivana Jarmon + Theo Sullivan • Vivian Jones + Luz Silva • Lewis Lain + Thulasi Seshan • Cesar Luna + benedicta m badia • Marie Magnetic + Jasmine Rodriguez • Delisha Mckinney + Paloma V. • Diana Noh + Juj-Lepe • Andrew Rehs + Corbett Berger • Clau Rocha + Maria Jose Ramos Villagra • Amyia Ross Brittanii Batts (Tanae b) • Fawaz Sakaw + Arianna Maggio • Lucero Sanchez + Clay-Cofre • Ramin Takloo-Bighash + Yiwen-Lyu • TEEL ONE + Melody Contreras • Pamela Trejo + Kim Yeoh • Cindy Uriostegui + Scum Drop • Ami Vasilopoulos + Stephanie Cruz Rincon • Ivy Waegel + Aryn Hills • Emily Schroeder Willis + Angelica Flores • Raine Yung + Micaela Petkus