About the Artist
Karla Ramirez-Santin is a multimedia artist & educator, born in Toluca, Estado de México, and immigrated with her family to the United States when she was a toddler. She received her Associate of Arts in Art from Navarro College & BFA in Studio Art from UNT. In December 2024, she graduated with her MFA from TWU, where she has taught & continues to teach drawing & painting classes. Additionally, Ramirez-Santin works as a Lab Specialist for Dallas College - Brookhaven campus, & became a member of the Cedars Union, Cohort V, in February of this year.
Ramirez-Santin’s work incorporates a variety of media, mementos, & found objects to explore themes of grief, immigration, and the deeply personal moments where these experiences intersect. Rooted in autobiography, much of her practice reflects the fears, guilt, and pressures she navigates daily as a DACA recipient/Dreamer. At its core, her art is a tribute to her parents, who sacrificed everything to give their family a better life in the United States—a story that resonates with many immigrants & children of immigrants. As such, collaboration is central to her practice. Through intimate conversations & shared experiences, she aims to give voice to those who are often silenced or spoken for. By intertwining her narrative with those of others, she strives to shed light on issues that are frequently overlooked or distorted; creating space for solidarity, questioning systemic oppression, & helping others feel seen and heard.
About the Exhibition
Hyphen Space presents a powerful solo exhibition by Karla Ramirez-Santin.
In Nos Cortaron las Alas y Aún Volamos, Karla Ramirez-Santin uses an intersectional lens to share stories of sacrifice, labor, and love from the perspective of first- and second-generation immigrants. Through a combination of collaboration and autobiographical storytelling, Ramirez-Santin humanizes these experiences, highlighting both shared threads and individual complexities, while juxtaposing them with the negative portrayals often found in mainstream media. The exhibition’s title draws from the Spanish phrase: “Me cortaste las alas” (“You cut off my wings”), a metaphor for having one’s dreams, aspirations, or freedom taken away. By shifting the subject to “Nos Cortaron las Alas” (“They cut off our wings”), Ramirez-Santin emphasizes collective struggle and resilience, culminating in the hopeful affirmation: “y Aún Volamos” (“and yet we fly”). With this work, Ramirez-Santin aims to help immigrant families feel seen, heard, and comforted amid today’s terrifying and unpredictable political climate. The exhibition reminds viewers that regardless of citizenship status, we all seek and deserve life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
From November 1st to December 31st, Hyphen Space offers a tenderly compelling view into the stories of immigrant families, as told by Karla Ramirez-Santin. Curated by Christina J. Hahn.