Divas, Idols, and Divine Sages
Divas, Idols, and Divine Sages considers young girlhood as a time of peak creativity, imagination, audacity, expression, honesty, divinity, unapologetic energy, intensity, and intuition before one is cognizant of and feels bound by societal structures, gender expectations, and stifled social behavior. I depict some of my life’s greatest mentors, caregivers, providers of support and friendship as their childhood selves, reframing candid childhood photographs as life-sized mixed media drawings that feel more imaginative, messy, and true to reflect the mind and reality of a kid. Contemplating how children hold immense wisdom, a strong moral compass, and a relentless sense of wonder, I meditate on what it means to allow my inner child to serve as my guide, and, more widely, what could be accessed and accomplished if the child within each of us led, imagined, questioned, and chose.
Divas, Idols, and Divine Sages, 2025
Paper, gouache, graphite, ink, pastel, fabric, beads, jewels, embroidery floss, thread, collected objects, stickers, chalk
Variable dimensions
Divas, Idols, and Divine Sages, 2025 was featured in Underfed/Overgrown at the Worth Ryder Art Gallery in Berkeley, California.
This exhibition highlighted a diverse collection of work created by the Spring 2025 cohort of UC Berkeley Art Practice Department’s Advanced Studio and Critique Program, formerly known as the Honors Program. Each artist selected for the competitive program is granted a dedicated studio space to fully explore their studio practice for the semester. Additionally, the program offers regular critical feedback through weekly critiques with rotating Art Practice faculty members, a mid-semester program exhibition, and mentorship throughout the semester from a MFA candidate Graduate Student Instructor. Learn more
This work could not have been accomplished without the fierce and generous support of mentors Jasmine Nyende and Stephanie Syjuco, fellow artists Ash Margolis, Gemma Padilla, and Mia Ixchel Sanchez, family Sonia Ulrich and Monica Kenyon, and friends Chelsie Eggers, Ella Grosel, Tasha Tanabe, Emily Nguyen, Cassandra Pinkney, and Renee Boissier.