Amalia Mesa-Bains

Her work engages in a conceptual exploration of Mexican American women's spiritual practices that addresses colonial and imperial histories of display, the recovery of cultural memory, and their roles in identity formation.

[2] In her writing, she examines the formation of Chicana identity and aesthetic practices, the shared experiences of historically marginalized communities in the United States, especially among women of color, and the role of multiculturalism within museums and cultural institutions.

[5] According to Kristin G. Congdon and Kara Kelley Hallmark, authors of Artists from Latin American Cultures: A Biographical Dictionary, "Mesa-Bains's altars often honor women who have broken social barriers.

"[5] Using techniques related to found object art, Mesa-Bains has incorporated "dried leaves, rocks, pre-Columbian ceramic fragments" and other unusual materials to construct artworks such as her 1987 work Grotto of the Virgins, which is dedicated to painter Frida Kahlo (1907–1954), actress Dolores del Río (1905–1983), and to the artist's grandmother.

Amalia Mesa Bains Archaeology of Memory explores how important it is to remember family history because it is easily erased by patriarchal and Eurocentric culture.

[12] Queen of the waters, Mother of the Land of the Dead: Homenaje a Tonantzin/Guadalupe, 1992, fixed media installation including fabric drape, six jeweled clocks, mirror pedestals with grottos, nicho box, found objects, dried flowers, dried pomegranates and potpourri Venus Envy Chapter 1: First Holy Communion, Moments Before the End, 1993/2022, Mixed media installation including fabric, photographs, clothing, found objects, mementos, mirrors, furniture, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

The Library of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, 1994/2021, in Venus Envy Chapter 2: The Harem and other Enclosures Multimedia installation with Chairs, mirrors, artist books, and photographs.

The Virgins Garden 1994/2022, in Venus Envy Chapter 2: The Harem and Other Enclosures, Mixed Media installation including mirrors, moss, hand-painted armoire, handmade book with painted images, clothing, and found objects.

Venus Envy Chapter ll: The Harem and Other Enclosures, 1994 Mixed Media Installation including mirrors, colored scarves, and handmade book with painted images.

[2] Venus Envy Chapters lV: The Road to Paris and its Aftermath, The Curanderas Botanica, 2008/2023 Mixed media installation including medicine cabinet, two-tiered metal table, family mementos, perfume bottle, ex-voto on tin, photographs, light box, chemistry beakers, hand printed book, found objects, dried plants, rattlesnake skin, candles, dried lavender, oil painting, glass jars, and faux pine branches.