Lucha Libertad is a series of welded steel luchador masks made by Verónica Preciado while in residency at Estudio Aire. The photographs of the Luchadores were taken by Yulissa Mendoza at Jesse Hernandez School of Hard Knocks in San Bernardino CA. Artist Emmanual Camacho Larios modeled with Veronica for the photographs. The title of the series means freedom fight, referencing the lived experiences of the Latin community within the United States. While there has been progress, the fight for equality and retention of our rights is continuous, and those who participate in this fight are Luchadores.
Luchadores’ masks carry honor and imbue the wearer with power. The designs on the mask often refer to the Luchadores’ power source. In this series, it is the identifying aspects of the Latin culture which provide power and pride for the wearer. The Aztec mask acknowledges ancestors as the Mexican flag mask recognizes their descendants. The calavera mask underscores the significance of life and how people choose to move through it. The mariachi mask emphasizes music and creativity. The embroidered mask celebrates matriarchs and their ingenuity. The lowrider mask attests to intelligence. The silver mask confirms the legacy of El Santo and those who continue the sport of Lucha Libre. All together these cultural identifiers become a type of armor. For this reason, steel is the primary material of these masks. It enables them to retain their shape, always acclaiming the strength of the Latin community.
