PAULA FLOREZ-ESTRADA IB Visual Arts 2016 Lincoln School Costa Rica

^{The Artist Statement}

^{by Paula Florez-Estrada}

^{When looking at the different pieces, layers, and textures in a collage, one could see the coming together of different things or the breaking apart of a whole. Since I consider myself to be both composed and crumbled, I decided to leave this ambiguity in my artworks, making the viewers figure out for themselves which one are they: a composition of different pieces or the a beautiful, shattered piece.}

^{While an exhibition that consists of several series can be monotonous and uninteresting, I realized this was the way in which I felt my artworks to be most complete: by having a surrounding to which the can relate. In Between the Blinds, my triptych, I used several elements to tie all of the artworks together. Although they are all based from the same textures and medias, they were arranged differently to separate each piece and each subject as different identities rather than a continuation of the same one. In Under the Skin, which is a two-piece series, I incorporated print-making using layers to again portray the different levels of an identity; the different combinations and aspects that fit into a single person.}

^{The self-portraits are also different representations of myself focusing on structure, movement and lighting. Although oil painting is not my strength, including the self-portraits into my exhibits connects myself with my theme, showing how I wouldn’t be able to represent myself in a single way. Abstraction I deals with destruction, another aspect that might make people decide to hide parts of their identity. With five artworks and a single wall, I decided to arrange them in a diagonal direction which resembled a staircase rather than in a more conventional way.}

Abstraction I by Paula Florez-Estrada

Mixed media on cardboard

24 x 24 inches

Where most people saw a damaged piece of cardboard, I saw potential. With my classic use of layering and mixed media, I also decided to incorporate my personal doodles, which were nature related and filled with organic shapes. While destruction is an aspect in this artwork, there is still beauty left in the open wounds. Most people believe that when something happens an accident, a heartbreak, rejection what's left is usually worthless or not good enough, but to me there's nothing more beautiful than the stories our scars tell.

Between the blinds by Paula Florez-Estrada 

Mixed media. 36”x16”

In Between the Blinds I used several elements to tie all of the artworks together. Although they are all based on the same textures and medias, they are arranged differently to separate each piece and each subject as different identities rather than a continuation of the same one. I decided to play with the idea of ripped pieces making something whole and beautiful. The tissue paper covering the faces of each cut-out person represents the human need to hide a piece of ourselves, which ultimately is as important as what we decide to show.

Self-portrait I by Paula Florez-Estrada

Oil on canvas. 11 x 14 inches 

Self-portrait II by Paula Florez-Estrada

 Cut outs and collage. 11 x 14 inches 

Based on a photograph of myself, the self-portraits describe different aspects of my identity. While the collage is a combination of structure and movement, the oil painting focuses more on lighting. The cut-out technique was inspired from Henri Matisse’s extensive series of collages although I focused more on the details and the bone structure of my face. I created balance by exaggerating the movement in my hair. On theother hand, the oil painting is a more realistic interpretation of myself.

Under the skin by Paula Florez-Estrada

Linoleum Print. 29 x 22 inches

In Under the Skin, I incorporated print-making and tissue paper layering to portray the different levels of identity, the different combinations and aspects that fit into a single person. Seen as a single person or two separate ones, they have different stories to tell, just as they live in different world. Their backgrounds intrude into the people affecting the way people look at them.