Avila, Andrew

 While there were many artists that stood out during last week's presentations, the artist that stood out to me the most was Armando Perez’s presentation of Brenda Barrios. A California native of Pasadena, Barrios’s work seeks to address specific social issues within her larger community. Her work has been known to center on topics such as: vaccination, voting rights, disability awareness, community support, and much more. 

During the CoVid 19 pandemic Barrios switched to a more general focus from her various other mediums, like painting and sewing, to a more general focus on digital art. Personally, I feel this was an important and influential move, as this not only seeks to address issues of safety, but also addresses issues of access for those within her larger community. Yet, this new digital era for Barrios has also allowed for access to her work over a wider range of communities. Her work has been shown in places such as New York, and even as far as the United Kingdom (specifically London). Within recent years, her work has been noticed by organizations like Amplifier which has helped provide Barrios a larger platform. 

One of her specific works I particularly like is a portrait of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Congress-woman for section 14; the Bronx and Queens. This particular work features Cortez seated on a chair gazing directly at the viewer. Cortez's hands rest gracefully in her lap, while they hold two calla-lilies. Overall the general work is very reminiscent of Frida Khalo, and the many of her self portraits in which she depicts herself seated, gazing directly at the viewer with her hands resting in the same position. Additionally Barrios’ use of color within this particular work is also reminiscent of Kahlo. Her use of bright colors in the back, and foreground contrasted by neutral colors that comprise the image of Cortez, not only attribute a sense of regalism to Cortez, but also evokes a sense of calm to the figure.