Artist Feature: Elyse Gomez
Elyse Gomez is a mixed media painter and sculptor whose work is a vivid reflection of her rich, multifaceted heritage.
Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, to a Chilean father and Creole mother, Elyse’s artistic journey has been deeply shaped by themes of identity, history, and resilience. When her father was deported, she moved to the East Coast, where she found belonging within an Indigenous community that embraced her at a time when she felt othered. That experience profoundly influenced her art, leading her to explore the intersections of Indigenous and Latinx cultures—how their histories, struggles, and triumphs are woven together in ways often overlooked.
For over 20 years, Elyse has worked as a muralist and painter, using oil, acrylic, and sculpture to tell stories that honor the voices of those who came before her. Her latest body of work, showing at SXSW, focuses on portraits and serape-inspired pieces, reinterpreting traditional woven textiles through paint. Textiles have long been a cornerstone of cultural identity, carrying generational knowledge and resistance. Through her work, Elyse seeks to revive and reimagine these threads, bridging the past and present in bold, evocative ways.
"Indigenous knowledge has always been a throughline in this country, but it's a perspective that has been ignored or erased. My work is about honoring those stories, showing the ripple effects of Native culture in the Latinx community, and pushing for a deeper understanding of our shared histories."
Beyond her studio practice, Elyse is an activist for Indigenous voices and greater Latinx representation in the art world. She has traveled internationally on the powwow circuit, learning from Native communities and amplifying the histories often left out of mainstream narratives. Her ongoing work challenges audiences to recognize the deep, often unspoken connections between Indigenous and Latinx identities, asking how Latinx communities can honor and understand Indigenous experiences—especially in the face of historical erasure and cultural oppression.
Experience Elyse’s work in person at Satellite Art Ranch during SXSW 2025. Join us for an immersive look at her latest collection, connect with the artist, and explore the stories woven into each piece.
Learn more about Elyse on her Instagram.
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