Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebeca Castillo.
Hi Rebeca, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in El Salvador and lived in Santa Ana, El Salvador till the age of ten. I was raised by a single mother with a lot of help from my maternal grandparents, who we also lived with. My grandma was a teacher and she taught afternoon classes so after my school day was over I would get picked up and dropped off at her school, where I would spend all my days with her and her students. I would spend a lot of time with my grandma and my maternal aunts, watching novelas, going to church, and drinking coffee whenever my grandma secretly served me some. Looking back, spending so much time with my female relatives really shaped me and my values. I look back at these memories with a lot of nostalgia and joy and I am so glad I got to spend that much time with them. My mom had an incredible group of close friends, they called themselves “La Vecindad” taken from the Mexican TV show “El Chavo del 8”. I was often around them when I wasn’t with my grandparents, my mom was still pretty young so I was around for a lot of outings and parties, which was super fun for me because I would get to hear all the bangers from the 2010’s and use the digicams with her friends’ kids.
I attended a catholic all-girl school from pre-K all the way to 6th grade. I had a lot of friends, some of whom I keep in contact with till this day, and I was involved in a lot of after-school activities. I was part of my school dance team and we would often compete against other schools… (this is funny because I can’t dance but I swear at the time being in a dance team in El Salvador was like the coolest thing you could do) In general, my childhood in El Salvador was incredibly healthy, my mom and I were very happy and stable. We didn’t have a lot of money, we often
had to get help from my grandparents or my aunt, but we were definitely the happiest we have ever been.
When I was eight years old, my mom and I illegally crossed the border to come and live with my dad, who has lived in North Carolina for a long time, and in general for us to have a better life and future. We crossed from Mexico into Texas and this led to us getting caught by border patrol. My mom and I spent about four months in three different immigration centers/jails. This time in general has had a big traumatic impact in my life, but has also shaped me into a stronger and more empathic person as well as influencing a lot of my current political beliefs. After that, we spent the remaining six months or so living in Raleigh, North Carolina
with my dad and my paternal aunt and cousins while our legal case was open and we attended several courts and all that legal mess. I got to enroll in school, and I did half of 3rd grade in Raleigh; this is where I learned basic English and was introduced to a lot of different races and cultures, which was really interesting and fun. At the end of our case, the decision made was for us to voluntarily leave the country and go through a procedure where you basically say “sorry” to the country for coming in illegally or something like that. Because we voluntarily left and were not deported, we had the chance to legally apply for us to come back in the country.
In early 2011, we got a call back from the embassy saying we were next in line to begin the procedure for us to gain our residency and be able to legally come here. My mom and I had happy lives, filled with good friends and a strong family bond, but sadly El Salvador’s crime was at an all-time high and the economy and job market were horrible. It was just a very uncertain future that my mom saw specially for me, so she decided to begin filing for residency. By the end of 2011, we got our residency and made the decision to move to Los Angeles, California where my mom’s boyfriend (now stepdad) lived.
On 11/11/11 when I was 11 years old (very funny coincidence) my mom and I arrived in Los Angeles, California and have lived here ever since. I went to Hamilton High School (go Yankees!) and SMC where I had the best time and the best instructors, all before transferring to ArtCenter.
Los Angeles is my second home FOR REAL, I was raised in West Adams/South Central which I am super proud of and rep HIGHLY. Growing up in LA has really shaped who I am today; I am forever thankful to this city as I have never felt out
of place. The love I have for the Latino community here is immense and I am thankful to always be reminded of El Salvador ever since being here, from the people to the food. Salvadorian and Latino culture is so prominent in Los Angeles I always feel like it was a perfect continuation for my upbringing… I am proud to be here and to be able to contribute to that community. I now live in Inglewood and I currently attend ArtCenter College of Design, where I am majoring in Photography and Imaging.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Immigrating at a young age was really tough on me, leaving my friends and family behind… I fell into a really big depression. I think another big struggle was/is having parents with working-class jobs, jobs like cleaning houses/hotels, working in mechanics and cars… struggling with money and general social injustices, gentrification and just instability in general. For this I am huge in my political beliefs and values, I 100% stand with Latino workers and fully acknowledge their huge impact in our everyday lives and the economy. Seeing my parents struggle with the language and adapting into another culture has also been tough to watch. Finances and handling school has been a HUGE struggle. I am lucky to have been accepted into a private art school and to be able to pursue my dream career, but financially it has not been easy. I am thankful for the help of my parents and other relatives!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do? I am a photographer; I work with both analog and digital mediums.
I would say my work is isolated and intimate where the main subject matter is womanhood and loneliness. My work is about vulnerability as well as identity and an overall look into the female experience and femininity. I strive to use unique techniques and coloring to create compelling stories alongside my love for beauty and fashion. I love highlighting the beauty in womanhood and enjoy showcasing uniqueness and culture in subtle ways.
I take pride in my colors and my editing process; I take a lot of time into my analog and digital processes to be able to achieve a look and a feeling, especially through color. I enjoy editing and I have a lot of fun in the hours and days I take into it. I also take pride in working with girls and photographing girls, female connection is vital to me and my creative process. Shared experiences in womanhood through femininity and political/social struggles… The connection we have from girl to girl is precious. I take a lot of pride in working with ethnic and Latino creatives; I love supporting my community and to be able to collaborate and share time with them is the best thing about what I do. Love working with LA-based artists; I take pride in my experiences living in Los Angeles and having some components from that be in my work as well.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
In general, my favorite childhood memories are the moments I have spent with my mom and my grandparents! Being small and just having careless fun surrounded by my family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rebeca-castillo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c.ast/
Image Credits
Photos of Jazmin, Jasmine, Tatianna, Emi, Sylvia, Dari, Meeka and Alyssa. In collaboration with Jazebella, Jenny, Shu, Priscilla, Sophia, Hannah, Diane, Zach and James.
