ANGELICA RAQUEL MARTINEZ
TEXTILES | MIXED MEDIA | DRAWING | PAINTING
ARTIST BIO
Born and raised in the border city of Laredo Texas, Angelica draws much of her inspiration from her upbringing and the unique culture she grew up in. Using narratives rooted in folklore, familial storytelling, and her personal experiences, her work acts as a conduit for her investigations into ideas of morality and the spiritual while often putting emphasis on relationships and their continued importance after death. Her use of animal imagery has a dual purpose of representing the animal itself and those she loves. Angelica’s multidisciplinary studio practice utilizes mediums like watercolor, graphite, felting, and rug hooking which give an inherent softness to what are sometimes harsh and visceral subjects. The importance of this juxtaposition between the tender and the violent further underscores the relationship humanity has with storytelling. Relying on knowledge of the past while reinventing folklore to reflect on culture, societal, and human/animal relationships. Angelica has an MFA from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Visit Angelica Raquel Martinez's website |
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About “ Leche de Vida”:
“Leche de Vida was completed while I was in my Master of Fine Arts graduate program at UTSA. During that time I was just starting to dive into the reasons of "why" I adore animals and more specifically my upbringing. Leche de Vida (Milk of Life) explores the idea of nature's nurture. Fawns of all different coloring and patterns are stacked on each other, supporting each other, and holding a branch of a plant that is pouring out a liquid or a "milk" that is feeding them. The land is raising these vulnerable creatures, and I feel that while I was making this I was really meditating on my childhood that I spent at my grandparents ranch, and constantly outside, always searching for animals with my cousins. Nature has always held my heart, and in a large way, has raised me and I'm very grateful to have had a quiet lovely upbringing with such adoration for the natural world.
Deer and fawns in my work are usually representative of the women and childhood friends in my life. Bucks tend to represent my Grandfather who was my family's leader before he passed away. Animals I grew up seeing constantly like jackrabbits, deer, coyotes, etc. all South Texas creatures hold a big place in my heart.”
- Angelica Raquel