Omar Monroy is Born in Iztapalapa, Mexico, and raised on Baja Mixteca Land in La Ciudad Heroica Huajuapan de León, Oaxaca., Omar was brought to the US by their mother in 1999 to Ontario, California, which resides on Kizh Land. They attended Pratt Institute graduating with a degree in Photography. After working in the Diamond District for seven years they realized that jewelry design and making was their true passion and has since began their iconic brand El Techichi Jewelry that honors their heritage while also fighting stigma about what it means to be brown plus size gender non binary.
Omar Monroy
they/she
"Omar Monroy uses EL Techichi as a creative medium to honor their heritage, reconnect with their roots and craft unique artworks. By blending traditional and contemporary materials, they draw inspiration from their childhood as an undocumented immigrant, Mexico's rich ecosystems, and their love of powerful Latine women they watched on television.”
“Jewelry has became my safe space, my gender affirming care, but it has also triggered this a sort of ancient memory, where i was reminded that adornment and opulence has always been around, and was meant for everyone regardless of gender and race. I also noticed how there wasn’t any space for people like me, if there are Latine designers they are mostly white and come from privileged backgrounds. So my jewelry, specifically these necklaces show, opulence, and heritage. They are upcycled mother of pearl ‘plates’ that I added elements that represent mexicos history in art and cuisine. They are reminder of to check where your food came from, how colonizers stole our foods and how European cuisines became the luxe standards an indigenous foods are destroyed and looked at as ‘street’ food or trendy food. These necklaces are not only luxurious but also reaffirming.”
How does your work relate to the theme Adorned Serenity—
How does the work function as a wearable safe space?
“Mexico Lindo” Vintage Tahitian Mother of Pearl, Brass, Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Vintage Apache Tear Obsidian, Vintage African Bone beads, Leather. 2023
How do you see this piece existing in the world as a wearable safe space?
Or is this piece specific to you?
“These pieces are a wearable safe space for meant for Mexicans, because of we are constantly forgotten, our contributions looked upon as expendable and our stories are forgotten. These necklaces are big, bold and loudly scream MEXICO, MEXICO MEXICO. To wear them is to remind the masses that Mexico is more than George Lopez, more than Selena. It is Opulent it is the movement.”
If someone found this piece and needed an instruction manual to make the safe space work — what’s a quick how to?
“If you find this piece and you are Mexican, please put this on!”
“The shells came from a small women owned business in the city that hand select their vintage wares, so they came from a local reliable source. Which is a peek into how i find my materials.”
