Editor’s Note: This is the third part of a three-part series that covers graduating art majors from UTEP and their accomplishments throughout their careers.
Julyet Carrillo is a studio art major at the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP). She is graduating this fall semester and recently presented her solo exhibition “Transe Calle,” which was showcased in October.
Carrillo’s exhibition functioned as a thesis, showcasing her work and growth from the last four years. From a personal video of her cutting her own hair, to a Japanese paper diary that resembles one from her childhood, she incorporated elements to symbolize the way she has found herself through art.
The bow resting on Carrillo’s head, one of the pieces shown in her exhibition “Trance Callejero,” is one of her most personal works. (Aylin Montanez)
“I always grew up around doodles and coloring books, just like little kids do, but I never thought it was something I could pursue as a major or a career,” Carrillo said.
It wasn’t until she heard of the graphic design program at UTEP that she decided to pursue art as a career. In her freshman year, she took a printmaking class and connected with the art form deeply.
“I think I was a freshman, and all of the classes were full, and they were like, ‘Oh, you need to be in printmaking.’ And when I was little in the little town I am from, Chiapas, Mexico, there was a person that did scrimping on t-shirts, I was like, ‘Oh, that’s cool. I want to do that’,” Carillo said. “When I came to UTEP, I found out printmaking included screen prints. I like print making, it is very diverse.”
At UTEP, Carrillo found a way to take inspiration from her cultural background and incorporated those elements into her pieces. She has also added elements from her home, El Paso.
“I was born here in El Paso, I could say I’m the daughter of two borderlands because where I grew up in Chiapas, it is basically the frontera with Guatemala,” Carrillo said.
Her cultural background served as an inspiration for her solo exhibition, where she showcased pieces influenced by her mother’s Zapoteco roots. One of the standout pieces, “Ma, I want to go back to where I was happy,” features titles in the Zapoteco language and reflects her deep connection to that heritage. This piece earned the award for Best New Media and Conceptual Art.
“It basically comes from my roots and my heritage, but it also comes from this place of trying to find my identity and trying to find a place for me,” Carrillo said. “My solo exhibition title was ‘Transe Calle’ and the meaning of it is because we’re in constant change. The word transe comes from a change and constant moving.”
Julyet Carrillo, local artist, reflects the themes of transition and self-discovery, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another (Aylin Montanez)
Carrillo also adds her own story into her art, using art as a way of understanding the relationships with those around her, and even with herself. In her work “Sumergidas,” an emotional piece that consists of pillows, she represents her relationship with her girlfriend, as well as mixing traditional and innovative elements.
“It’s all about trying to find who I am, and for example, these exhibitions help us in building portfolios,” Carillo said. “But on the personal side, it does help us in trying to find our aesthetic and our style.”
Carrillo recognizes the challenges of pursuing a career in art, however, she believes her trajectory is proof that there are a lot of opportunities out there. She completed two internships during her undergraduate career.
In 2023 she was an intern at the Smithsonian where she participated in the Latino Museum Studies Program and is currently an intern at the Rubin Center of Visual Arts.
“Don’t be scared, because I feel like I was someone that was very shy and scared. I feel like that’s my advice to other artists, or upcoming artists, don’t be scared of experimenting,” Carillo said. “Don’t be scared of talking to people. Try to experiment with everything, and not just like art itself, but go out there and try to find your voice. Because in times where things are really bad, the thing we look at is art. Just continue doing what you want to do and tell your story.”
With her experiences in internships and as a teaching assistant, Carrillo has decided to apply to graduate school, with the goal of becoming an art professor. She hopes to continue to explore her own identity in the art world and help others find theirs as well.
Vivien G. Noe C, is a Staff Reporter, at The Prospector and can be reached at [email protected]
