The works that make up ‘Sing, Don’t Cry’ reflect a spirit of persistent joyfulness. By centering colour and geometric forms in all their boldness and purity, in combinations that offer a surprisingly subtle aesthetic, Quintanilla Coates affirms an unapologetic, relentless optimism.

She says, “Mexican people, my people, are one of the most grateful and joyful I know. Growing up, however, I didn’t always relate to this. It wasn’t until I moved to Canada and found sobriety that I began to reclaim a number of aspects of Mexican culture, including its stubborn optimism.”

This is a mindset she shares with Mexico’s unofficial anthem, “Cielito Lindo”, a powerful song that frequently unites the country in celebration (at the World Cup, for example) but also in times of real tragedy and mourning. In September 2017, when a catastrophic earthquake in Mexico City left hundreds dead, volunteers collected food and medical equipment while singing a profoundly moving rendition of “Cielito Lindo.”

The chorus of this spirit-lifting anthem – “Canta y no llores”- is the source of the exhibition’s title. To sing rather than cry. This isn’t toxic optimism; rather it’s a choice made from strength and a brave hopefulness. A reminder not to bury negative feelings, but rather to not spend so much time in the dark that we forget to see the light. This body of work is the artist’s way of singing with colour and shape. It’s also an invitation (for anyone who needs it), to get a dose of what she refers to as “dopamina mexicana”.