January 2022
Curated by Victoria J. Fry

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Originally from Chile, Paula Valenzuela is a mixed media artist located in Sausalito, CA.

At an early age she was interested in art studying with some Chilean artists since she was 15 years old, but she pursued a professional career in Clinical Psychology and Public Health, while keeping her art as a more private passion.

She moved to the US in 2013 and started going back to her art practice. Paula works now as a full time artist in her studio in the ICB Building in Sausalito and her work can be found in private collections in Chile and California.

Instagram: @paulavalenzuelaart

Website: www.paulavalenzuelaart.com

ARTIST STATEMENT

My work explores the connection of darkness and light within us, the complexity of layers that we show to others and to ourselves and the interconnection of conscious and unconscious aspects in our lives.

I am interested in the cycles of the human experience, specially the internal and spiritual transformations between the birthing and dying processes.

My inspiration comes from by the textures and colors found in nature, especially the desert, the skies and the collective symbols used by ancient cultures.

Using a combination of paint, collage, and different mixed media materials, I build the beginning stage of my images. Many layers later, the paintings contain a variety of marks, some made by scratching and repainting the surface, and some made by drawing specific interconnected shapes, bringing the hidden history to the surface.

Textures, color, and organic forms are layered into a complex visual weave that hints at the underlying feelings and complexity of our lives.

I am interested on exploring that space in between reality and daydreaming, where the unconscious aspects of our inner world can become to the surface, making visible what was invisible before.