The Accomplices 1987

Julio Galan made "The Accomplices" by referencing both personal and cultural contexts. Galan came of age in Mexico during a period of cultural change where artists began to question traditional Mexican identity. In "The Accomplices" we see a figure in a Charro suit—a traditional symbol of Mexican masculinity—yet this figure has a feminized face, hinting at the breakdown of rigid gender roles. By dressing a gender-ambiguous figure in traditional clothing, Galan is reclaiming his identity while simultaneously expanding the definition of what it means to be Mexican. He complicates the narrative, challenging viewers to reconsider cultural expectations around identity, gender, and sexuality. The broken vases that float near the central figure call to mind the many ways identity and traditions can be fractured. With this emotionally charged piece, Galan acknowledges and validates the experiences of those who exist outside of traditional norms.