charcoal, soft pastel, gold leaf, brass, and basalt on linen
Description
Human-crafted. AI-refined.
The artwork "Al-Bakri, From the Andalucia series" by Emilia Estrada features a monochromatic palette with intricate geometric borders in gold and white, surrounding a central, textured abstract form resembling geological patterns. The composition combines ornamental motifs with earthy depths, suggesting ancient maps or archaeological layers. Estrada employs a style that blends cartographic and decorative elements, challenging conventional perceptions of space and history. Through this piece, she critiques the historical use of maps as tools of power, inviting viewers to reconsider narratives of land and identity. ...
Uncovering hidden histories and overlooked memories, Emilia Estrada examines themes of occupation and displacement. She critiques cartography’s function as a tool of erasure and domination, questioning Western scientific objectivity. Through detailed drawings and installations, Estrada weaves poetic elements with archival materials, revealing the symbolic frameworks that shape territorial imaginaries and the ways history and collective narratives are constructed and preserved. Her process involves collecting technical drawings, maps, and archival documents that trace the migratory flows and displacements central to the history of Latin America. These materials are reworked into fragmented, archaeological-style drawings that disrupt traditional ideas of “discovery,” proposing instead imaginative reconstructions and alternative world-building. By highlighting the gaps and contradictions within dominant historical accounts, Estrada’s work encourages viewers to question established narratives surrounding land, identity, and belonging, fostering a more nuanced understanding of cultural memory and historical representation. ...
