Juliette Camejo, Con lo que hay. Mixed media. 18 x 24 inches. Florida International University,
USA, 2026
USA, 2026
Project Statement
This project is a collage portrait of my Cuban mother, created using recycled household materials to reflect the tradition of upcycling shaped by scarcity in Cuba. The split in her face allows these materials to emerge from within her, symbolizing how resourcefulness, memory, and care are not separate from her identity but built into it. The piece highlights the role of Cuban women in transforming everyday objects into something meaningful, representing resilience, domestic labor, and the lasting impact of generational experience. This generational practice extends into my own approach to materials and making. I have adopted the habit of collecting and preserving everyday items: paper scraps, packaging, fabric, and found objects, with the intention of repurposing them later. These materials became the foundation for this poster, allowing the process itself to reflect the same values of resourcefulness and reuse present in the concept.
This project is a collage portrait of my Cuban mother, created using recycled household materials to reflect the tradition of upcycling shaped by scarcity in Cuba. The split in her face allows these materials to emerge from within her, symbolizing how resourcefulness, memory, and care are not separate from her identity but built into it. The piece highlights the role of Cuban women in transforming everyday objects into something meaningful, representing resilience, domestic labor, and the lasting impact of generational experience. This generational practice extends into my own approach to materials and making. I have adopted the habit of collecting and preserving everyday items: paper scraps, packaging, fabric, and found objects, with the intention of repurposing them later. These materials became the foundation for this poster, allowing the process itself to reflect the same values of resourcefulness and reuse present in the concept.
In this way, the work not only represents the experiences of Cuban women, but also demonstrates how these traditions are passed down and continue to inform my own creative practice.
Self reflection
I think this was a wonderful assignment and an overall meaningful experience. It was amazing to communicate with people who are so far away from us and to see how similar our cultures can be. Ransom and several other group members shared cultural experiences that were very similar to mine.
Through this collaboration, I was able to recognize the many ways our cultures connect, while also learning about the differences in our practices and traditions. I learned a great deal from my peers, and I hope to visit their countries one day to experience their cultures more directly.
Video of the process. Courtesy of the designer Juliette Camejo. Florida International University, USA, 2026