Artist Statement

I view my artwork as stories, little worlds that possess a life of their own. My artistic practice is born from my experience as a foreigner in Canada, especially in the ways it has shifted my perspective and broken my horizons. I have always been fascinated by the power of art to convey complex ideas and emotions, and I strive to use my work as a means of exploring and sharing my own perspective with the world.

My paintings and digital art pieces often explore themes of displacement, culture, cultural differences, and societal issues. I am interested in exploring the ways that we interact with one another and the world around us, and in particular how our perceptions of reality can differ depending on our individual experiences and perspectives. To this end, I explicitly use symbols, metaphors, and allegories to convey complex ideas and emotions, and to provoke thought and discussion among my viewers.

The focus of my artistic practice is to explore human perception and differences. Specifically, I strive to elicit mindfulness in the viewer and to motivate thinking about the world around us. I believe that art has the power to break down barriers and to connect us with one another on a deeper level, and I am committed to using my work as a means of promoting empathy, understanding, and compassion in the world.

I am captivated by life, particularly the ways it challenges me to understand and question it, ultimately leading to a better understanding of myself. My work examines and questions the different systems we live by that shape our social life while also limiting it. Through my paintings, looping videos, and AR experiences, I create thought-provoking spaces that elicit a childlike wonder while also stimulating critical thinking.

Furthermore, a constant feature in my work is the use of primary colors (yellow, blue, red) as Easter eggs to honor my Colombian roots and symbolize everything, as colors originate from the three primaries. I believe that the use of color is a powerful tool for conveying emotions and ideas, and I enjoy exploring the ways in which different colors and combinations can be used to evoke different moods and responses from my viewers.

Top image: El Latir de un Lugar Desconocido, 2021-22. acrylic on canvas, 36″ x 48”. 

Artworks

Artist Bio

Born and raised in Cali, Colombia, Gabriela (Gaby) now resides in Victoria, BC. Her main mediums are painting and digital art. She explores the boundaries of what makes us human and different from others. Gaby’s work provokes mindful reflection on cultural norms, barriers, and societal issues. A self-taught artist, Gaby discovered her passion for the arts at a later age and has pursued it passionately. She holds an undergraduate degree in Visual Arts with a minor in Psychology from the University of Victoria and received the 2022 Takao Tanabe Undergraduate Award in Visual Arts. Gaby’s art has recently been part of group exhibitions including “Illūstrāre” and “Bread and Butter.” Her upcoming exhibit, “Don’t Need to Know to Feel It,” showcases her unique artistic vision. Finally, an important staple in her practice is the incorporation of the primary colors (yellow, blue, and red) as Easter eggs to honor her Colombian roots and symbolize everything, as colors originate from the three primaries.