Artist Missy Rosa paid homage to her beloved city of Chicago with her art project Chicagotería.
The art project highlights distinct Chi-town elements through the lens of the traditional Mexican card game Lotería.
"I was born on the northside of Chicago," Rosa tells BuzzFeed. "I currently reside in Pilsen, a predominantly Mexican neighborhood, enriched in the arts but currently facing gentrification."
"I saw first-hand the effects of gentrification and how it’s currently washing away the culture of so many Chicago neighborhoods. I wanted a way to preserve the memories and share them with others."
"The memory of playing Lotería with my family was fresh in my mind and I wanted to combine my memories and experiences into new illustrations."
"I wanted to update a game that’s been played for decades and share the work with others and hopefully they can see and feel Chicago’s rich culture while playing."
Her parents, a Puerto Rican father and a Mexican mother, also had a hand in the inspiration of Chicagotería.
"They immersed me in the different cultures and neighborhoods of Chicago. They showed me the beauty of community...I learned to appreciate what Chicago has to offer."
"Nostalgia, specifically through the Latinx experience, is the biggest theme in my work and Lotería cards are the best medium to represent that."
Chicagotería is still under development and will be turned into an actual game. Check out updates on Instagram and sign up for the newsletter here.
