about the artist
Photo Taken by Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times
Emilia Cruz is an artist based in Simi Valley, Ca. She was born in San Diego, Ca, while both of her parents were born and raised in different regions of Mexico. Her artwork pays homage to these roots through her use of bright and vivid color palettes. Many of her paintings celebrate familiar faces and feel as if they are placed in other-wordly settings.
Cruz studied Illustration at Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, Ca. She teaches art classes for kids at Plaza de la Raza’s Cultural Center of the Arts, located in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, Ca. She has exhibited her work in several galleries and has done high profile commissioned work for CÑN en Español, Netflix series Gentefied, and Mitú for Netflix: Selena the Series.
Her work featured in "Futuro Pasado", a two-person exhibition with Rick Ortega at the historic Boathouse Gallery at Plaza de la Raza has received an outstanding critical response.
“My work exemplifies the importance of representation, specifically as a woman of color. I am exploring different ways in which I can depict vulnerability, self-healing, and empowerment.”
exhibitions
Current:
Thinkspace, Los Angeles, CA, A Better Tomorrow, April 2024
California Heritage Museum, Santa Monica, CA, Arte Chicano: Echo En Los Angeles, March 2024
ChimMaya, Los Angeles, CA, The Grand Reopening, December 2023, Curated by Steven Acevedo
Eastern Projects, Los Angeles, CA, Blossom, November 2023, Curated by Adriana Serrato
Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture, Riverside, CA, Indigenous Futurism, October 2023, Curated by Denise Silva
Chicano Park Museum, San Diego, CA, Son De Allá Son De Acá, October 2023, Curated by Ricardo Islas
Tonalli Studio, Los Angeles, CA, Earth & Spirit: Encounters with the Beloved, September 2023, Curated by Rosanna Esparza Ahrens and Andrea Ramirez
Walter N. Marks Center for the Arts College of the Desert, Palm Desert, CA, RAIZ II, September 2023, Curated by Thinkspace Projects, Tlaloc Studios, The Perez Brothers
Plaza de la Raza Boathouse Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Invoking Autonomy, July 2023, Curated by Maritza Torres Dove Ayinde
Studio Channel Islands Gallery, Camarillo, CA, Sacred Space: Reflections Unseen, June 2023, Curated by Carlos Heredia
Avenue 50 Studio, Los Angeles, CA, The Politics of Portrayal: Three Generations of Chicana Portraiture, May 2023, Curated by Sybil Venegas
Munzón Gallery, Long Beach, CA, Sueños II, May 2023, Curated by Mister Toledo
New Media Gallery, Ventura, CA, Pertenencia: Belonging, February 2023
Tortugo Gallery, Albuquerque, NM, Son De Allá, August 2022, Curated by Ricardo Islas and Rigoberto Luna
Art Share LA, Los Angeles, CA, The Observer and the Observed, July 2022, Curated by Eloy Torres and Juliane Backmann
Plaza de la Raza Boathouse Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Futuro Pasado, July 2021, curated by Summer Bernal
Self-Help Graphics, Los Angeles, CA, 2020 Vision: Prophecy Manifested, March 2020, curated by Mujeres de Maiz
Tonalli Studio, Los Angeles, CA, Corazón de Melón, February 2020
Centro de Artes, San Antonio, TX, Xicanx, New Visions, February 2020, curated by Dos Mestizx
Avenue 50 Studio, Los Angeles, CA, Mujer: Rights, February 2020
South Pasadena City Hall Galleries, So Pas, CA, Entrelazadas, January 2020, curated by 11:11 A Creative Collective
City Hall Gallery, Pacoima, CA, Fuerza De La Mujer, November 2019 curated by 11:11 A Creative Collective
ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Arte Pare La Gente, October 2019
La Bodega Gallery, San Diego, CA, Perfect 10 Group Show, October 2019
ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, September Group Show, September 2019
Tonalli Studio, Los Angeles, CA, Entering the Goddess Portal, August 2019
La Bodega Gallery, San Diego, CA, Friducha, Frida Inspired Art Show, July 2019
ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Primavera, May 2019
Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery, Seattle, Washington, Chingonas Art Exhibition, May 2019
MCAU Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, We Are Many, March 2019
La Bodega Gallery, San Diego, CA, Chicana: Liberated and Empowered, March 2019
Self Help Graphics & Arts, Los Angeles, CA, Mujeres de Maiz Annual Art Exhibit, March 2019
Tonalli Studio, Los Angeles, CA, Light Flying Backwards, March 2019
ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, 13th Annual Open House, December 2018
ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Las Hijas de La Luna y del Sol, Solo Exhibit, November 2018
ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Frida y Los Muertos, October 2018
Angel City Brewery, Los Angeles, CA, Stories of the Neighborhood, October 2018 curated by Ms.Yellow
ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Autumn Group Show, September 2018
Kaleidoscope Kollective, Los Angeles, CA, That Brown Skin Magia, September 2018
Avenue 50 Studio, Los Angeles, CA, Mis Cuentos, Solo Exhibit, July 2018
ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, 13th Year Anniversary, July 2018
La Bodega Gallery, San Diego, CA, Frida Kahlo Art Show, July 2018
SPARC, Venice, CA, When She Rises, July 2018
ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, I Am Not a Label, April 2018
La Bodega Gallery, San Diego, CA, Chicana: Magia de Mujer, March 2018
Plaza de la Raza, Los Angeles, CA, Viva la Muxer, March 2018 curated by Las Fotos Project