LILLIAN AGUINAGA
Location:
New Orleans, LA, USA
ARTIST BIO
Lillian Aguinaga is a Peruvian-American figurative painter and muralist based in New Orleans, LA, whose work explores the human experience and the pursuit of belonging in the face of life's challenges. Her artwork delves into the emotional and psychological intricacies individuals encounter when navigating personal and collective stress, grief, and trauma.
Aguinaga's distinctive style is characterized by vibrant color palettes and bold shadows that create intimate atmospheres, capturing the essence of her subjects and evoking a sense of stillness in chaos. Before paint lands on a surface, her process begins with photography and the use of color-effect gels. Inspired by cinematography, she plays with light and shadow to infuse her paintings mystery and possibility, leaving viewers with a feeling of contemplation and introspection.
Having earned a BFA in Painting from the University of Louisiana - Lafayette in 2010, Aguinaga's work has been showcased in various galleries worldwide, including Newcomb Art Museum, Good Children Gallery, Visaje Graffiti Gallery, Longview Museum of Fine Art, and Hilliard Art Museum. Her artistic contributions garner recognition within her community as one of the lead muralists in the first all-women and youth production in New Orleans.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I paint fleeting moments of the human experience as we exist in Pandora’s Box. My artwork places focus on our pursuit of belonging while navigating the constant burden of existence. I examine the complexity and impact of the emotional and psychological conditions that we endure while we cope with personal and collective stress, grief, and trauma. I am Peruvian - American and was raised by a single mother in the Bible Belt of the United States. Finding where I fit in and being comfortable with my identity has been its own challenging journey. This and experiences dealing with my own mental health shape the perspective in my work. The majority of my subjects are femme as I am fascinated by the tenacity and strength innately present in the feminine construct.
I compose paintings with radiant color and prominent shadows in an intimate setting to evoke a sense of solitude in chaos. The exaggerated colors and gaze of the subject magnify the emotional and psychological aspects while capturing a single moment with which the viewer can empathize. Many of the shadows are used to represent our own metaphorical shadows, which we use as camouflage. However, shadows aren't permanent; they expire and true intentions, emotions, and identities are seen.
My work forces consideration of questions such as: How much can one bear in the context of interminable cycles of chaos and grief? To what extent do we ignore major issues such as inequalities, warfare, climate change, and plagues in order to function in our everyday lives and what impact does this disregard have on the human condition? How do we as individuals fit into all of this and how do our roles exacerbate these issues?
