2016

Photography

“Chicken Breast” is a commentary on female performance through a photography series. I am dressed as a bird, the symbol of freedom. Yet, the feathers being black indicate the turbulence of my freedom, since they are not the classical symbol of peace as the white bird is. I am wearing nothing but black underwear and chicken breast on my own breasts, which is a commentary on the over-sexualization of women. Placing feathers on my face with skin-care cream resembles a male beard, symbolizing the desire for the gender equality that most men do not have to face. In my piece, I question why I have to worry about the appropriateness of what I wear, why expectations are reduced due to being a woman, and why women let themselves be limited by societal rules. This piece therefore challenge patriarchal standards that dictate how women should perform.

Poem by me that complements the photography series:

Limiting.
I wish I was a bird, free to fly- like Jonathan Livingston
Yet, I think we would be a blackbird, because the white brings peace- something like that we are composed to think.
What is nakedness- inappropriate?
I was solely born this way, it is what I have—my body— I must love it, care for it, and appreciate it for what it is.
Encaged. Chicken breast.
Like if it was what really mattered. What is red? You’re your own bird.
I choose my color, I choose my wings. I am not just chicken breast.

2016

Installation

1' x 1' x 5’

“Arianan Mask” is a piece that serves as the face of a revolution, allowing for anyone who wears it to be their absolute self. This culture permits everyone to be their genuine human. Everyone’s authenticity will emerge as anyone can develop their passions in the fittest way possible.

Humanity collaborates with each other, there is no oppression, no discrimination, no inequalities. The irony is that a mask will usually let a person be someone else, or hide their true identity. It is through creating the mask or replica of it, however, that our souls will truly be ourselves.

2016

Installation

6' x 4' x 5’

“Find These” is formed by a collection of thrift shop objects composed to form a society. Items were placed on specific places in order to send a social message, for example, the Napoleon doll is at the top, demonstrating a hierarchy. There is a list of objects accessible for the viewer to pick us and read labelled, “Can you find these?”. The audience does not know that some objects on the list are not really on the installation; they will not be able to find 10 balls because there are only 8. The viewers are performing to choose between following the authorities order by looking for useless or impossible things, or admiring the artwork and questioning why the items are placed the way they are. It is a representation of obedience, of the cultural desire to be like the others in the environment.

2016

Acrylic on canvas

One of seven: 1'2" x 8”

Catholicism is part of most people's culture in Venezuela. ”Seven Deadly Sins" is a critique of what religious laws state. I am disapproving of someone else’s words setting the morals and values of the masses. One should explore one’s own self to the core, until everything one stands for is discovered. Starting with Sins I, from left to right, the order of the sins represented are lust, anger, gluttony, greed, pride, sloth and envy. Each sin is presented through irony, humor, and symbolism. For example, in the second piece, anger, the mouth has a slight smirk. Strokes were done in an aggressive matter, and the black dashed line through the middle of the face is intended to cause annoyance to the viewer.

2016

Acrylic on canvas

8" x 6”

Making an allusion to Sam Mendes’ movie, American Beauty, “Venezuelan Beauty” is a self- portrait reflection on how I have slowly left the stereotypical idea of the woman I am supposed to be in this society. This is demonstrated as my face is melting, becoming something unusual.

The piece’s surrealism is connected to my tastes in creativity, being bizarre, weird, and unusual. In the environment I live in, women must not act smart, or have a strong voice and opinion, the opinions we have must accord to that of the rest. Women must also represent sexuality at all times, although not too sexual, otherwise the woman becomes a threat to other women. This sexuality is seen through the roses, as they represent beauty and lust. The “ideal” woman I am expected to be is seizing to exist, I am becoming my own ideal human through the process.

2016

Acrylic on canvas

14" x 13”

“Earth” demonstrates 3 textures of forms of Earth: wood, soil, and rock. The piece is meant to appreciate the ground we live in. Through the use of acrylic, I explored three different natural textures in an abstract form. The tones of brown give unity to the piece, and can relate to the human tones of skin. The piece gives acknowledgement to the Earth’s magical capabilities of growing and developing. The textures are aimed to connect the audience with the planet they live in. As humans, we should be more connected to our origin and our shelter. Precaution has to be taken regarding the damage being done to our land. Awareness of global warming is essential for future generations of life on Earth, that has never been mistreated more than at this moment in time.

2016

Installation

5' x 5' x 6’

Different sized and colored fabrics have human stick figures being created from the bottom to the top. The lowest fabrics barely have a comprehendible human figure. As the eye ascends, the formation of each human figure becomes more visible and the composition is more clearly understood. This piece compares the growth of humanity to personal growth. Humanity is slowly coming together to form more positive environments for different groups of people to coexist with each other. Similarly, an individual also matures and grows through one’s life and experiences. A person can achieve to become their genuine self by exploring one’s own limits and passions.

2016

Installation

12" x 12" x 14”

This artwork contains the 4 elements of nature: fire on the red candle, earth through the plant's, water on the transparent plate, and air as the viewer sees themselves breathing on the mirror. A mandala made of acrylic on canvas is placed on the middle of the mirror. Mandalas are used as a source of purity, truth and peace to one’s self. My mandala is meant to be read from the middle outwards, as it narrates my existentialist journey. This piece engages with the elements of nature setting each individual as a component of nature as well.

2016

Wire and Beads

This series consists of 19 accessories made of of wire in form of a face or faces. The series starts with 4 rings, followed by three bracelets, two necklaces, one crown, and back to another two necklaces, three bracelets, and four rings. This pattern’s purpose is to comment how as humans, we should think about our actions, and act upon what we think. As the pieces develop, the faces become more complex. This symbolizes the growth of human complexity and its creativity.

2016

Pen on Canvas

10' 2" x 3.5”

This artwork is formed by a long canvas that resembles a receipt. I conducted a survey on all high school students, asking for the 5 things they valued most in life. Most of the nouns named do not actually have a price, such as family, opportunities, or unity. Abstract objects are mixed with solid objects and are given prices that do not make sense in order to comment on consumerism.

2016

Installation

2' x 1'6" x 1’7"

Making a reference to Ernesto Sábato’s existentialist novel, “The Tunnel”, “Caged Bird” is a black box with small wholes on opposite sides. A cushion was placed for the audience to have a view of the inside of the box. A tunnel is perceived by the viewer, ending with strands of black paper resembling jail bars, and the silhouette of a bird in the other side. The purpose of the project is to produce an existential reflection, are you inside or outside the tunnel? Is the bird in the cage, or are you?