“Whether it’s about my love for oranges, or a BTS zine of my last short, I think my work is usually surrounding some sort of ever-transforming answer to what home means to me,” says Sofia Batres, a 2023 graduate of Montclair High, now attending NYU’s Tisch School for the Arts. Batres’ Tiny Gallery show, What It Means 2 Be a Central American Unicorn features mixed-media pieces and a series of short films that are forceful and exceedingly truthful as they examine how to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Batres says she’s been thinking a lot about the idea of “nepantla,” a Nahuatl word that’s been translated as "in-between-ness.” A concept referenced by third-world feminist theorist Gloria Anzaldua, it's about the experience of being of two spaces, of two worlds at once—the long fight between Eastern philosophies and Western ideologies. “Nepantla can be incredibly painful, but just as beautiful. It’s a reminder for me to bask in my constant, humiliating & awkward discomfort that allows me to create dynamic, mix-media narratives for orange things that have to exist in a blue time,” says Batres. In her piece Growing Pains, she writes, “Being brave @ this age means crying with my mouth open, being in places that don’t love me, being rude when I’m supposed to be nice, choosing 2 be on this earth, even though sometimes it hurts.” While Batres is referring to her experiences as a college freshman in New York City, it's a sentiment that can resonate with all of us at any moment in our own lives. I’m thrilled to be featuring her unexpected and deeply vulnerable pieces.

Tiny Gallery Q&A

Just for fun, Tiny Gallery asked Sofia to answer a few questions from Vogue’s 73 Questions, a favorite Q&A that always entertains. Her responses are below:

Where do you get inspiration from? My family, especially my mom. They probably want me to bother someone else though.

What is your favorite animal? Racoons

What is your favorite piece of makeup? Blush!

What is the last book that you read? Someone Who Will Love you In All Your Damaged Glory by Raphael Bob-Waksberg

What is the best thing to happen to you this month?My sound class liked my final project. It was a narrative about a girl who had to DJ from the toilet. I was very worried the graphic diarrhea sounds weren’t going to land. 

What is your go to coffee order? Ice chai latte with oat milk

What is your favorite movie? It's a tie between Little Miss Sunshine, Y Tu Mama Tambien, & Pariah.

What is something that you can’t do but wish you could? Play bass guitar. It shouldn’t be that hard, right? 

What is a bad habit of yours? Biting my nails! Sorry!

If you could have someone else’s closet, whose would it be?My friend Talia’s— her style is INSANE! 

What is your favorite day of the week? Thursday– you’re over the bulk of the week but there’s something still so optimistic about it. 

What is your favorite type of breakfast food? Grilled Cheese Sandwich, specifically with American cheese, even though my body might disagree.

What is your favorite color? ORANGE!

What is your guilty pleasure TV show? Ugly Betty 

What is your favorite season? I want to say Spring but I also feel like it triggers my eczema. But you know what--I’d have to say Spring. 

What makes you smile the most? Watching my friends go absolutely insane when Lemonade comes on in the car. 

What is your favorite smell? Laundry detergent– something about it… 

Who is the last person you texted? My friend Norah. We were talking about this video of this baby bull loose on the train tracks of Newark Penn Station. 

When was the last time you cried? Maybe like 3 days ago? I think I was rewatching Jennifer Coolidge’s golden globe acceptance speech. That one always gets me.  

What is one item that you must have in your purse at all times? Aquaphor