ARTIST STATEMENT
This piece is inspired by my Andean culture. The Aya Huma is a folkloric character that encapsulates the duality of life who comes out each year to celebrate Mother Earth and the summer solstice during Inti Raymi (Festival of the sun). With my artwork, I wanted to pay homage to this celebration and the duality in my culture and everyday life. Instead of depicting the Aya Huma exactly as it is represented in its traditional setting, I decided to add my own twist. I used a color palette that was inspired by my new life in the US, while some of the details on the mask were inspired by my life in the highlands of Ecuador. With this, I want to show that it is possible to honor ancestral traditions within our plural cultures and identities.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Emilia Chang is an Ecuadorian, self-taught emerging artist currently living in Chicago. Her work is inspired by everyday objects, Latin American folklore, and modern art. Through abstract illustration, hard-edge painting, and surface patterns, she focuses on creating bold and colorful work showcasing the beauty in the often overlooked mundane things.
© Emilia Chang