I illustrated Malacopa, a poetry anthology that came together in a short amount of time, during a moment when I was feeling creatively stuck. Drawing for this project unexpectedly pulled me out of that slump. I created all of the drink illustrations featured throughout the book, and in doing so, I found myself reminiscing about my twenties — nights spent at friends’ houses, drinking too much, celebrating, making bad decisions, talking about exes, and dreaming about the future. The work felt nostalgic, messy, and honest, mirroring the spirit of the poems themselves. This collaboration was inspiring and marked my first time illustrating a book — one I hope is far from the last.
We presented the book at Casa Tomada in Mexico City alongside the poets, and the night felt like a throwback to house parties from the 2010s. Old reggaeton and cumbias played in the background, there was a table in the center with Bacardi, candles, and candy, and the whole space felt intimate and alive. We read excerpts from the book, and at some point people from the audience felt inspired to share their own poems, blurring the line between readers and creators. It was a beautifully unique experience. Warm, chaotic, and communal.
Malacopa was coordinated by Andrea Muriel, Elsa M. Treviño, Frydha Victoria, and Emmanuel Vizcaya, and illustrated by me. The anthology brings together the voices of Anaclara Muro, Citlalli Ixchel, Daniel Malpikka, José Manuel Vacah, Paola Llamas Dinero, and Xel-Ha López, whose poems give the project its raw, intimate, and celebratory spirit.
Malacopa was published by Medusa Editorial.