Silhouettes of the American Dream, 2025, 4 ft x 8 ft, Wood Relief and stencil.

Gilberto Seanez Hernandez is a printmaker from El Paso, Texas, whose practice examines the social and political realities of the U.S/Mexico border and their broader impact on border communities. His work draws from printmaking, photography, installation, and archival research to explore themes of immigration, institutional power, and lived experience. Seanez earned a BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Graphic Design and Printmaking, along with a minor in Metals from The University of Texas at El Paso in 2024. Through a research-driven and materially focused approach, he uses visual language to document, question, and encourage dialogue around the complex conditions that shape life along the border. 

Artist Statement

As a printmaker based in El Paso, Texas, my artistic practice is deeply shaped by social and political matters affecting the US/Mexico border and Southern Mexico. Through the use of metaphor and various artistic techniques, I distill complex topics such as immigration, police abuse, and government wrongdoing, aiming to open space for reflection on the social issues that shape border communities. 

Although printmaking is the foundation of my practice, my work also incorporates techniques such as installation, photography, and layering. I often create compositions that function as both documents and interpretations of lived experience on the border. By combining traditional printmaking with photographic processes, I build powerful works that use government documents and silhouettes as the basis for my visual compositions. These pieces will often extend beyond the traditional flat print format, evolving into spatial installations and artist books that physically and visually engage the viewer.  

My objective is to challenge assumptions, spark dialogue, and foster a deeper understanding of the political and social environment along the border. Beyond serving as a visual record, I aim for my work to foster conversation and ultimately challenge the status quo.