For my creative project, I was inspired to create both a painting and a poem that go together to illustrate a hidden message. The title of these combined artworks is The Missing Puzzle Piece. In the painting, there is a red ribbon, which represents the symbol of HIV. Around the red HIV ribbon, there are research symbols such as a syringe, a test tube, a DNA helix, a flask, a book missing information, and a pill. Furthermore, when looking at the red HIV ribbon, you can see that there is a missing puzzle piece. Then, to the left, you can see the missing puzzle piece with the LGBT pride flag colors and Latinx written. Altogether, this painting symbolizes that the LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities were left out of the discourse on HIV during the 1980s. As a result, these communities were faced with societal stigmas, high HIV rates of infection, lack of treatment, and accessibility during the 1980s. Thus, the glitter around the puzzle piece is meant to represent bringing light to the underrepresentation of the experiences of the LGBTQ+ and the Latinx communities in research. Additionally, in the poem, there is an emphasis on acknowledging the fact that these communities were marginalized and invisible. Moreover, I was surprised to find very little information from the 1980s on the sexual health of the LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities with regards to HIV and that is why I wanted to bring awareness and shed light on these communities. Ultimately, I wanted to share their voices and show others what I found from my research.
