Artist Profile: Angelica Contreras
Angelica Contreras is a Latinx artist interested in exploring the relationships between identity, tradition and pop culture through its many layers—incorporating techniques like acrylic, oil and collage into her pieces. Her work seeks to act as a bridge between various communities and cultures, thus reflecting on her own.
She was born in Whittier, California then moved to Guadalajara, Jalisco at an early age. She attended the University of Guadalajara, receiving a B.A. in art in 2008 and a Masters in Art Education in 2016. Her artwork has been shown in exhibitions in Mexico and the United States including “The Hidden Faces/ Los Rostros Ocultos” at Latino Arts Inc in Milwaukee and “What We Inherit: Remnants of Light and Space” at Overture Center in Madison. She was a recipient of the 2020 Forward Art Prize (an annual award targeted to support the work of female artists in Dane County). She currently lives and works in Madison, where she continues to create and showcase her art.
1) What fuels your creative expression? And how do you practice self-care as an artist?
A lot of my work talks about cultural diversity plus how this exchange can create something rich and beautiful. At the moment I am interested in researching traditional Mexican Folk Art and popular arts in general. I find that art created for religious, utilitarian or even magical purposes is very honest while also holding a very strong human connexion. A lot of these artifacts reflect the cosmovision of a community—they are not only decorative pieces. A lot of these artifacts also talk about the cycles of life and death which I find incredibly interesting. I try to include these aspects in my own pieces. I think I have now gained more and more respect for these artisans and their process. They have been of great inspiration for my personal work.
Not really sure if I would call it self-care, but I do have rituals before and after I start new work. I have to clean and organize my space and materials. I think it helps me clear my mind and refocus. Scent is something that I have started including into this routine, so before I settle down to work, I have some sort of incense or candle in the studio. I think scent also helps me feel grounded. It’s almost like my personal ceremony before the actual painting begins.
2) Which of the following words accurately reflect themes you have explored creatively: 'dialogue,' 'disrupt' or 'decolonize'?
I believe that my work is more of an open dialogue about identity and social issues, especially those of immigrant communities. When you leave your country of origin you are confronted with your own identity. I think that this has allowed me a moment of introspection and has made me reflect on my culture and its layers. I feel the need to create visibility and dialogue within these communities. There is a responsibility to show first, second and third generations how valuable our traditions, arts and culture is—as well as those aspects that we need to change. My hope is that viewers can reflect on what makes them who they are while also reflecting on all the ways we are interconnected with each other.
3) Any work or projects you are looking forward to pursuing (or finishing) this year?
I am now working on a small series that will talk about food and how it is connected to culture, specifically in the case of Mexico to our Pre-Columbian roots. Our food traditions say a lot about who we are in addition to our past. I have been researching the origin and mythology of the ingredients in our cuisine; I’m looking forward to working with this imagery. I am also working on some commission pieces for the Trout Museum’s Made to Order program which supports local artists and the museum by commissioning works of art from the general public. The final pieces will be unveiled in an exhibition opening August 27, 2021.
4) Fave installation, exhibition, writing or performance by another artist that you've recently encountered?
Richie Morales show The Effects of Time on Memory (Los efectos del tiempo sobre la memoria), which was on display at Arts + Literature Laboratory in Madison from May 13-July 10, 2021. His work carries many historical and spiritual layers from his hometown of Guatemala. His work makes you stop—allowing for moments of introspection through the layers of vivid color and imagery. He has also collaborated with Latinx artists Natalia Hildner and Claudia Vaca to bring together visual art, choreography and poetry inspired by the stories of local Latinx and Indigenous community members for a series of performances on the weekend of June 4-6, 2021 with a project, titled “Kachkaniraqmi" or "We Still Exist".