Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alejandra Cordero. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alejandra, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I attribute my resilience directly to my ancestors. I’m a first-generation Mexican-American, and the legacy I carry is one of overcoming immense adversity. While their struggles are part of our story, what I choose to focus on and draw strength from is their enduring spirit, their rich stories, and their incredible cultural beauty. That legacy is my inheritance. It’s a reminder that resilience is more than just enduring. It’s about creating, contributing, and ensuring that our spirit not only remains but flourishes. That belief is in my blood, and it’s the fuel for everything I do.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My work is an extension of my identity, it’s rooted in cultural pride, a deep sense of justice, and the integrity I draw from my heritage. At its heart, my art is a platform for our community’s unsung heroes. What excites me most is using art whether it’s photography, film, or design to create a safe space for sharing stories. I create with a deep sense of purpose to elevate the voices that are often whispered or silenced. For me, it’s a form of expressing emotion; a mission to care, connect, and, most importantly, to celebrate the authentic people and perspectives that make our community vibrant.
And I’m thrilled to be celebrating a major milestone very soon! I will be graduating from ArtCenter College of Design and would like to extend a personal invitation to your readers to my final thesis show. It’s the culmination of everything I’ve been working towards.
Please join me on Thursday, December 18th, from 7pm to 10pm at the Pasadena Convention Center (300 E. Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101). My work will be featured in the Photography & Imaging area. The event is free.
This show isn’t just the end of a chapter; it’s the beginning of a future I hope is filled with abundant collaborations right here in our community.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
My journey taught me that artistic growth rests on a foundation of three pillars: First, the courage of authenticity, having the integrity to let my identity and values be the compass for my work. Second, the humility to see feedback as a gift, understanding that every piece of constructive advice from my mentors was an act of generosity that strengthened my craft. And third, the discipline of time management which, for me, meant scheduling not just work, but also moments for reflection and self-care, ensuring my creative wellness didn’t run dry.
The advice I’d offer is simple yet profound: trust your own timeline. Your artistic path is uniquely yours. When you cultivate a deep belief in yourself and your mission, you build an unshakable core. From that place, you can then do the practical work: get organized, prioritize your goals, and make space for your art to guide you. The journey is about marrying that inner trust with outer action.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The number one obstacle I’m facing is also becoming my most powerful teacher: recovering from a broken leg. For eight months and counting, I’ve been navigating a landscape of pain and limited mobility, which has directly challenged and deepened my sense of resilience. I’ve chosen to meet this challenge not by hiding from it, but by bringing it directly into my artistic practice. I am using my art to cope with the physical and emotional trauma, and in doing so, I’m fundamentally shifting my approach to design and photography within the confinement of personal fear, limited mobility, physical and emotional pain. This experience has forced me to see the world from a disability perspective, and confront my fears head on with my camera. I have created pieces that are not only visually compelling but also speak to themes of the body, and silent perseverance. I am determined to alchemize this personal tragedy into a source of beauty and meaning, proving that our greatest obstacles can become the very foundation of our most impactful work.
Contact Info:
- Website: alejandracordero.net
- Instagram: alejandracorder0
- Linkedin: Alejandra Cordero
Image Credits
Alejandra Cordero
