Laura Aguilar

Not only was I extremely moved by Edwin Arzeta’s presentation on Laura Aguilar but genuinely inspired to consider self-actualization and the power of affirmations after learning about the amount of self-growth they've led her through ending in embracing herself for the gorgeous human being that she is. The adoption of embracing these positive mantras mid-life is particularly inspiring due to the emotional and physical hardships she's had to overcome with depression and auditory dyslexia. I've always preferred more voluptuous female figures when figure drawing live models due to the beautiful flowing curvatures and now especially as sculpture. It's as if Laura's photographs are autobiographical dioramas I wish I could walk into and surround to experience her form from every angle. From the cast shadows to her body positioning, each choice is made so deliberately and yet the entire scene is as natural as coming upon a magnificent boulder landscape. I feel her ability to camouflage while holding the center focus of each shot is achieved through the composition of knowing exactly how to highlight her graceful fleshiness in nature. Her unabashed sincerity when describing her journey of self-love and bodily acceptance made her art that much more endearing and vulnerable. Her powerful images are complimented by her honest soft-spoken words of reflection, creating a personal link between the artist and every other human being dealing with some sort of insecurity or self-doubt.