There are various symbolic references in Lukashevsky's artwork that make it political. With a general theme of flowers in bloom, this artist directly speaks to the growth and potential of the Latinx community. There are three non-white and younger looking individuals, who stand in place of young Latinx people including those who have immigrated. Their younger ages are established by the juxtaposition of casual clothing with formal clothing, such as graduation gowns and caps, which are associated with the ever-changing period of one’s life that is adolescence. In tandem with the individual’s growth are the various stages of floral growth. Here, flowers are seen with their roots embedded in the ground, buds that have sprouted, and in full bloom. This variety in the flowers, as well as that there as several, symbolizes the large size of the Latinx community as well as each individual member’s different point in life, all of which are beautiful. The soil is interlaced between the young adult’s legs, signaling their connection to the ground, or how grounded in reality they are. In this artwork, the Latinx community is shown as full of humility and potential, two qualities that support their achievements in the United States.
In addition to symbols, the meaning of color in Lukashevsky’s art serves to communicate more emotional messages about the Latinx community. The color of the blooming flowers, a bright yellow, continue to represent hope and positivity. The abundance of yellow says such perspectives frequently exist and thrive among Latinx people. Yellow specks in the ground convey that there are more flowers, representative of Latinx people, waiting to grow. The flowers that have yet to reach the surface speaks to two aspects of the Latinx condition, one being that there are some people who have not reached their full potential due to their environment and the other that there is so much more to come from this community. By dressing the people of color in white robes, the artist identifies the assimilation -- both forced and voluntary -- of the Latinx community. As they conform to an American education, these individuals can succeed and find stability in the education system. However, they also stand out amongst the color of who they were, and who they can be, authentically. Despite this struggle between past and future, Latinx people in white ultimately celebrates their ability to achieve in a white-dominated country.
Taking into consideration the text in this piece, and its contribution to the art overall, Lukashevsky revisits actual Latinx experience. I continue to consider her work and its color because behind this unusually red soil, there is a solid white background. This encompasses the intense whiteness that Latinx people are surrounded by even when they thrive. There are white flowers and white parts of the individuals’ hair, to signal that this whiteness has an effect on people even if they can temporarily disconnect from it. For example, a person may cut some of their hair off to free their tether to American society, though this hair will eventually grow back and reconnect their existence to the whiteness. That is, in essence, what it means to be Latinx. The artist uses a simple color palette of three colors, and one color in particular (red) in an unexpected way. This red reflects the blood and humanity of Latinx individuals. Flowers are viewed as weak because they are exposed to the elements like Latinx people are vulnerable to dominant society. Despite this, the flowers grow and are strong. Latinx people are the nutrients for our garden that is society, because the many flowers or communities grow together. In this way, flowers in bloom connect to womanhood and the empowerment of a feminist narrative, because without women there would be no children or humanity. Lukashevsky emphasizes how vital Latinx people, particularly women, are to the functioning of American society.
