Chantal Lesley's Self-Portraits Explore Pachakuti and Identity
Chantal Lesley, an artist from Austin, delves into themes of identity, belonging, and transformation through self-portraits inspired by the Andean notion of pachakuti, symbolizing significant change that marks a new era. Her photographs showcase a nude female figure protectively cocooning herself over bare earth, set against natural backdrops like sand dunes and tall grass. Raised on the U.S.-Mexico border as the child of immigrants, Lesley navigates upheaval and renewal through her body, embracing estrangement as part of belonging. Her series 'Contained' incorporates cropped archival family photos shaped like hyphens, exploring intersectionality. Additionally, she creates textiles and sculptures that engage with memory and myth. Featured in Southwest Contemporary, her archival inkjet prints, including 'Contained 14' (2025) and 'Patchakuti I' (2025), vary in size from 8 x 10 inches to 24 x 24 inches.
Key facts
- Chantal Lesley is an Austin-based artist.
- Her self-portraits explore the Andean concept of pachakuti.
- Pachakuti refers to a major cycle of change that ushers in a new era.
- Lesley was raised on the U.S.-Mexico border as the daughter of immigrants.
- Her series 'Contained' layers archival family photos cropped in the shape of a hyphen.
- She also works with textiles and sculpture.
- Her works include 'Contained 14' (2025) and 'Patchakuti I' (2025).
- The photographs are archival inkjet prints.
Entities
Artists
- Chantal Lesley
Institutions
- Southwest Contemporary
Locations
- Austin
- United States
- Cusco
- Peru
- U.S.-Mexico border