How I Made This: Roberto Benavidez’s Fanciful Piñatas

Piñatas—hollow sculptures of paper or clay meant to be broken open—are known to contain surprises; Roberto Benavidez’s hold layers of cultural and personal associations. The Los Angeles–based artist repurposes this Mexican folk craft to explore his multifaceted identity as a gay Mexican-American man raised Catholic in rural Texas.
Versions of the piñata, believed to have originated in China, exist around the globe. They may depict animals, gods, political fi