Maria Rosales Gerpe
I am a Cuban-Canadian artist and writer based in Cambridge, Ontario. My work focuses on mental health, specifically mindfulness, and featurism, challenging our Western perceptions of beauty.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
Having lived with ADHD my whole life, and having experienced depression for most of it, my work is influenced by mental health and perception. As an immigrant, one of the ways I experienced culture shock was in desirability. As a Cuban woman with a different body type and skin tone, I did not match the expected beauty standards shown by the media and embraced by the status quo in Canada.
My abstract illustrative watercolor and gouache paintings explore the themes of mindfulness and introspection, delving into the depths of human emotion and identity, while challenging Western beauty standards and featurism, presenting characters with exaggerated and unconventional facial features.
This stylistic choice invites viewers to question societal norms and embrace a more inclusive and diverse understanding of beauty. The use of vibrant colours and fluid forms further emphasizes the emotional resonance and inner life of my subjects, encouraging a mindful and introspective engagement with my art.
Beyond illustrations, my paintings are meant to evoke a sense of wonder and reflection. They aim to connect with the viewer and prompt them to question their own perceptions and biases. In this way, my art serves as a meditative journey into the essence of the human experience, celebrating the beauty of individuality and the richness of our inner worlds.
I am a Cuban-Canadian artist and writer based in Cambridge, Ontario. My work focuses on mental health, specifically mindfulness, and featurism, challenging our Western perceptions of beauty.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
Having lived with ADHD my whole life, and having experienced depression for most of it, my work is influenced by mental health and perception. As an immigrant, one of the ways I experienced culture shock was in desirability. As a Cuban woman with a different body type and skin tone, I did not match the expected beauty standards shown by the media and embraced by the status quo in Canada.
My abstract illustrative watercolor and gouache paintings explore the themes of mindfulness and introspection, delving into the depths of human emotion and identity, while challenging Western beauty standards and featurism, presenting characters with exaggerated and unconventional facial features.
This stylistic choice invites viewers to question societal norms and embrace a more inclusive and diverse understanding of beauty. The use of vibrant colours and fluid forms further emphasizes the emotional resonance and inner life of my subjects, encouraging a mindful and introspective engagement with my art.
Beyond illustrations, my paintings are meant to evoke a sense of wonder and reflection. They aim to connect with the viewer and prompt them to question their own perceptions and biases. In this way, my art serves as a meditative journey into the essence of the human experience, celebrating the beauty of individuality and the richness of our inner worlds.
