Miss Universe 1996
By <a href="https://axisweb.org/artist/abigailvillarroel"
title="Abigail Villarroel"
class="inline font-bold underline transition-opacity duration-100 hover:opacity-50 focus:opacity-50">
Abigail Villarroel
</a>
2025
- Painting
- Abstract & Conceptual
- Global Perspectives & Multiculturalism
- Personal Narratives & Identity
- Social & Political
- Heritage & Archives
Dimensions
A4
The moment in question shows The Butterfly Cow in her time hopping shenanigans, turning back the clock the Miss Universe pageant of 1996, where Alicia Machado won. She's depicted in the spotlight, basking in the glory of winning, and Mariposa is depicted behind the velvet curtain.
She's taking a video of her ascension, whilst shedding a tear. Tears of joy, tears of sadness, tears nonetheless. I project in this image a queer reality of my experience, having lived in the shadow of normative beauty, and craving that normativity for myself but in the end not being able to attain it.
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