On display at Medicine for Nightmares will be over 50 photographs from Michael Papias' five-year long photography project, Familia-r: The Vaquera/x/o Through A Mexican-American Lens. Published by The Tortilla Press, this collection of work highlights the ceremonies, advocacy, and daily fight to keep Latina/x/o horse riding traditions alive in the colonial landscape known as Los Angeles. All work on display has been built using analogue photography methods---shot in the field, with Brown hands, on 35mm and 120mm film---emphasizing Michael's practice of centering invisible Brown labor.

Familia-r is a larger reflection of Michael's identity as a Mexican-American Orphan, having been part of the Vaquera/x/o community since his birth until his placement in foster care—Michael has now returned to his familia-r homeland after 15 years of being ripped away (from his culture, language, sombrero) and has worked to not just document, but also build community with the leaders that have continued to keep the sacred practices of Latina/x/o horse riding alive. 

As the Latina/x/o diaspora currently fights its way through another horrific chapter of colonial history, this collection highlights the community, adrenaline, and tenderness of the Vaquera/x/o in the colonial landscape——as we swing both arms, all four hooves, and intentionally create with our communities to preserve our knowledges for the next generation of Brown horse riders.

Please join us on December 13th, 2025 at 5:30PM as we celebrate opening night of this two-month show¡!