ARTIST STATEMENT
Evangelina Roa primarily works with found elements, such as upcycled fabric combined with thread remnants and acrylic paints, favoring hand sewing to create abstract mixed-media pieces. For the ButterflyBear series, she began with a textured ivory cotton canvas sourced from an old tote bag. The main character emerged by drawing and carving leaves and planters onto foam board, then applying purple, orange, pink, and yellow acrylic paint before stamping onto cotton fabric. The ButterflyBear character was machine sewn onto a patterned fabric showcasing hues of pink, purple, and green becoming “elements of order.” Its face is composed of the purple planter piece, accented with machine stitching and thread remnants that were hand-sewn with pink and turquoise embroidery thread and finished with French knots in either yellow or orange cotton thread becoming “elements of chaos.” The body is accented with machine stitching that is intentionally crooked, while a green piece from the patterned fabric decorates the center, topped with a turquoise or yellow knot, reinforcing a sense of “constraint to the chaos.” The contrast between the vibrant colors and the thread remnants, crooked stitches, and fraying edges creates a sense of chaos within order—there is beauty in the interplay between unraveling and constraint. The process of unraveling, while it can feel chaotic, can also reveal beauty and clarity within those constraints. It serves as a reminder that sometimes our most profound moments arise from navigating the tension between freedom and limitation.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Originally from Chicago and now based in Brooklyn, Evangelina Roa is a self-taught mixed-media artist who works primarily with found elements, fabric and acrylic paints. Her art is driven by the materials she uses—whether upcycled fabric, thread remnants, or found elements like mesh netting—as they guide her on a journey of self-discovery, exploring her culture, aspirations, and anxieties. By mixing motifs from different historical eras and breaking free from traditional constraints, she releases a blend of energy that is both old and new. Her creative spirit has been evident from an early age—whether through coloring outside the lines in her coloring books, doodling on her Barbie dolls, or drawing inspiration from the geometric wallpaper in her parents’ kitchen. Art has always been her refuge. Influenced by artists such as Frida Kahlo, Hannah Höch, Magdalena Abakanowicz, and Cindy Sherman, she has developed her craft through various avenues, including classes at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the 92nd Street Y. Since relocating to NYC, her focus has been on expanding her artistic horizons. While her art journey is just beginning, she had the privilege of participating in June 2024 in the virtual group exhibit by Women United ART MOVEMENT, titled FLAWLESS: Embracing Imperfection in Art. She was also featured in the Summer 2024 issue of Women United Art Magazine.
© Evangelina Roa