2026

Copper, Vitreous enamel, Porcelain Enamel, lab created gemstones.

El último viaje de un astronauta (An Astronaut’s Last Journey), 2026, was created in memory of my grandfather, who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic. When my aunt dropped him off at the hospital, he told her he believed it was “this astronaut’s last journey.” The phrase stayed with me and became the foundation for this piece. My grandfather was fascinated by space, astronomy, and the unknown. He taught me about constellations, pointed out stars in the night sky, and shared stories of his imagined astral travels. He often jokingly told people he was an alien, using their reactions as a way to gauge their character. His curiosity, humor, and sense of wonder shaped many of my childhood memories, and I still think of him whenever I look at the night sky. The piece incorporates a map of the night sky from the day he passed away. Lab-created gemstones represent the planets, the sun, and celestial bodies that reflect his lifelong fascination with space and exploration. Engraved on the reverse are the coordinates of our hometown alongside the title, connecting the vastness of the cosmos to the place we both called home. Through this work, I reflect on memory, loss, and the enduring presence of those we continue to carry with us long after they are gone.