El Abrazo de Ma
Location
FA-247
Department
Art + Design
Abstract
El Abrazo de Ma is an exhibition that captures the affection and tender intimacy between a mother and child. This relationship is expressed through a series of collaged portrait paintings based on old family photographs. With the challenges of being an immigrant and a single mother, the works represented here celebrate my mother’s devotion and dedication to raising me, her only child. My art practice has consisted of capturing the faces of individuals who have left a lasting impact on me, whether they be family, close friends, neighbors, or strangers. It explores the power an individual or a group of individuals can have on someone and how we interact with one another, even in the most subtle form, can shape another person’s perspective or sentiments. There is a contemplative process that comes with painting portraits, as it allows me to examine my relationship with the individual I am painting. In this case, it is my mother, who I hold a deep love and appreciation for her ability to raise me despite the challenges that came with being an immigrant and a single mother. By using bold, flat areas of colors and outlines, I empower her image as the strong and resilient mother that she is. Despite my painting technique moving away from complete realism, moments in my collage work bring them back in. These moments are where I connect back to the real world, whether through the texture of one of my mother’s old sweaters or the plants embedded in the scenery meant to signify the nurturing aspect of my mother and my growth. Additionally, not being overly realistic allows room for ambiguity, letting viewers take what little information I give, letting them process it through their opinions and perspectives, and having them make connections between my work and their experiences.
Faculty Sponsor
Todd Irwin
El Abrazo de Ma
FA-247
El Abrazo de Ma is an exhibition that captures the affection and tender intimacy between a mother and child. This relationship is expressed through a series of collaged portrait paintings based on old family photographs. With the challenges of being an immigrant and a single mother, the works represented here celebrate my mother’s devotion and dedication to raising me, her only child. My art practice has consisted of capturing the faces of individuals who have left a lasting impact on me, whether they be family, close friends, neighbors, or strangers. It explores the power an individual or a group of individuals can have on someone and how we interact with one another, even in the most subtle form, can shape another person’s perspective or sentiments. There is a contemplative process that comes with painting portraits, as it allows me to examine my relationship with the individual I am painting. In this case, it is my mother, who I hold a deep love and appreciation for her ability to raise me despite the challenges that came with being an immigrant and a single mother. By using bold, flat areas of colors and outlines, I empower her image as the strong and resilient mother that she is. Despite my painting technique moving away from complete realism, moments in my collage work bring them back in. These moments are where I connect back to the real world, whether through the texture of one of my mother’s old sweaters or the plants embedded in the scenery meant to signify the nurturing aspect of my mother and my growth. Additionally, not being overly realistic allows room for ambiguity, letting viewers take what little information I give, letting them process it through their opinions and perspectives, and having them make connections between my work and their experiences.