"Woman and AI"
by Emma D. Enriquez
Artist's Statement: Woman and AI is a neo-expressionist painting of a Latina woman feeling the pressure of existing in changing grand narratives and an uncertain future. She vacillates between wearing a crown, wearing technology, and balancing tension like a head vice. The work also references Maria from Fritz Lang's 1927 film, Metropolis - where the female becomes a robotic figure. The work explores ways in which the female form and thought can be objectified or reduced to expectations of function.
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Emma's work combines influences from Mexican muralists like Diego Rivera, German expressionist painters, and classic sci-fi/horror films. Recurring themes in her art include technology's impact on humanity, the subjectivity of history and culture, the fluidity of identity, the power of relationships and dreams, and reconciling past and present realities.
Stylistically, Emma blends traditional painting techniques with the incorporation of fluorescent acrylic textures and digital elements. The fluorescent layers are often only visible under blacklight, creating a hidden futuristic dimension under the surface. Emma's figures are painted in a romantic, whimsical style. The backgrounds often contain abstract patterns referencing technological infrastructure and the digital world.
Emma wants to immerse viewers in imaginative spaces where old myths are recontextualized for the future. Even as we become increasingly technologically advanced, we cannot lose touch with our humanity, relationships, and ability to dream. Emma hopes to find positivity moving forward by revisiting narratives from our past.
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Emma D. Enriquez, aka Valluna, is a New York based, emerging artist. After practicing law for 20 years, she reignited her passion for art by taking community college classes with her daughter in Los Angeles. Art restored her creativity and became a new calling.
Emma strongly believes strongly in the power of art to communicate across cultures and time periods. Her work aims to connect with viewers on an emotional level through imaginative narratives. She explores the intersection of technology, history, and culture in our lives. While Emma's paintings often reference the past, she seeks positivity in moving towards the future.
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