Paulina Zamarripa 2026

Abstract

Rockararium is a project about rocks/minerals tied to places that my dad lived. A blend between a field guide, comic, and graphic novel, Rockararium explores the idea of collecting as connection, a story of a dad, and serving as an informational guide to certain minerals. Following my dad chronologically through time, each time he moved to a different physical location, there is a page on a mineral from that general location, as well as some bits and pieces about his life, and talks of why collecting matters. Collecting is a way to connect without having to use words or outwardly express things about ourselves in a blunt fashion. It is something I have used to strengthen and keep alive a relationship with someone I can no longer speak to. The book was created traditionally, using copic markers, colored pencils, pen, and printed on paper and made into a saddle stitch booklet to see in its intended book form.