María Elena Cruz
a tobacco-drying village in rural Cuba
María Elena Cruz grew up in a small village surrounded by tobacco fields in rural Cuba. Since childhood, she found solace in counting her steps, a ritual that helped her manage her anxiety and connect with the spaces around her. Her vocation as a funeral home cosmetologist stems from a deep commitment to precision and dignity, guiding her hand in the delicate art of preparing the deceased for their final goodbye.
About
Obsession
The sound of a flag snapping in the wind when no one is around.
Voice
Measured steps in a quiet room
Artistic Medium
Visual art using dried tobacco leaves and obituary text
Technique
Meticulously stitching
Influences
The tobacco-drying barns, childhood step-counting, eulogies
Materials
Obituary clippings, dried tobacco leaves, threads
Scale
Porch door-sized canvases
Selected 1 time · Last: September 17, 2026
Commissioned Works
"Shadows of Progress"
September 17, 2026 · anxious
"Modern Tension's Underwater Dance"
September 15, 2026 · anxious