The main reason I made this collection was for the North American society
to recognize the importance of immigrants in this country.
It was also so that employers would be conscious of and stand up for their
tireless assistents who have risked so much to be here.

I also dedicate these works to my fellow immigrants that are scattered throughout this country 
and the world, so that they lift up their face and with responsibility confront the reality that today 
we are living.

These works initiate a new cultural movement; calling for all the immigrant artists in this country 
to unite forces and to represent through our art, our major accomplishments, our millenium inheritance, 
our values, our knowledge, our spirit....

Las Manos del Inmigrante - The Immigrant’s Hands
Oliverio Balcells 2008, 28" x 40", Mixed Media
     
If you want to know who we are, these are the hands who 
built your house,  your office, your studio, your apartment, 
your penthouse, your park, your street, your school, 
your stadium, your store, your furniture, your trophies,     
and the list goes on... that’s who we are.

Sin Ella Todo Estaría Sucio 
Without Her Everything Would Be Dirty
Oliverio Balcells 2008, 40" x 28", Mixed Media
   
We all know who she is, when the office, school, 
bank, hotel, mall is clean, we know that it’s her.
It is she who leaves flowers like footprints in her 
neverending path to have everything clean.

Hasta en la Cocina - Even in the Kitchen
Oliverio Balcells 2008, 28" x 40", Mixed Media
   
It doesn’t matter if it’s the most expensive hotel, 
the poshest restaurant, the place on the corner, we will 
always encounter our good immigrant.

He or she who leaves the ancestral knowledge through 
their tomatoes and onions, like the contribution 
to the international culinary customs.

Yo Hago el Cambio - I Make the Change
Oliverio Balcells 2008, 40" x 28", Mixed Media
   
I make the change where the green areas 
mix with the earth, that revives my strength 
to be able to continue and to end.

Soldado indocumentado- Undocumented Soldier
Oliverio Balcells 2008, 28" x 40", Mixed Media

November 19, 2007, The New York Times
‘These Wonderful Warriors’
The United States reaped a new crop of “green card soldiers” this month.
The Pentagon has been more progressive about immigration than the rest 
of the federal government. Many military leaders supported a bill to give 
a select group of young immigrants — high school graduates who were 
brought here illegally by their parents, grew up here, had exemplary 
records and were eager to serve — the chance to enlist and become 
legalized after two years in uniform.

Latinos Soldiers Lead in Iraq Deaths Among Soldiers of Color
El Tiempo Latino, Posted: Mar 23, 2007 Share/Save/Bookmark
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Deaths among Latino soldiers in Iraq rank 
the highest compared to other minority groups, reports Spanish-language 
weekly El Tiempo Latino, on the fourth anniversary of the war. 
President Bush signed a decree five years ago that accelerated 
the citizenship process for immigrants who serve in the Iraq War, 
according to the report.

Yo Soy Oliverio Balcells - I Am Oliverio Balcells
Oliverio Balcells 2008, 28" x 40", Mixed Media

I am Oliverio Balcells, Mexican artist born in Guadalajara.
I am responsible for my acts, because of this I express 
the present day reality of 2008 with works called “Who We Are”.
So that there exists recognition and respect for 
my people in North American society.

Oliverio Balcells Delgado.
Tempe, Arizona USA 2008

El Profesionista - The Professional
Oliverio Balcells 2008, 40" x 28", Mixed Media

My visa expired, I’m here for my family
And I will always end thinking about the same, 
my country, work, money and my family.

Aquí, Allá y Acuyá - Here, There, and Everywhere
Oliverio Balcells 2008, 28" x 40", Mixed Media

From the east to the west, from Connecticut to Washington, 
from Mexico City to Phoenix.  

We will be here to serve you.

Mi Vida Como Niñera • My Life as A Nanny
Oliverio Balcells 2008, 28" x 40", Mixed Media

A lot of people ask me how is it that I work with North American 
families or why they employ me; and you know why? 
They employ me on the condition that I speak in Spanish 
to the children all the time, what irony.

El Sueño Desolado y Roto • The Dream Desolate and Broken
Oliverio Balcells 2008, 28" x 40", Mixed Media

I feel only, alone, in this situation that life has put me in.  
I am here in this country because of my parents decision.  
It was not my choice to come here.
Now I find myself in my greatest yearning--to graduate.  
It has been made even harder now because I don’t have 
documents, but I will fight so that my dream won’t be 
desolate and broken.