charcoal, soft pastel, gold leaf, brass, and basalt on linen
Description
Human-crafted. AI-refined.
In "Al-Bakri, From the Andalucia series," Emilia Estrada employs a monochromatic palette with intricate patterns and organic swirls framed by ornate borders. The artwork combines elements of cartography and celestial motifs, creating a tapestry-like composition. The style is an amalgamation of archaeological precision and abstract fluidity, using layered textures and gold accents. Estrada's intention is to challenge dominant historical narratives by weaving together archival materials and poetic imagery, reflecting on themes of occupation and displacement to question the objectivity of historical records and inspire new interpretations of cultural memory. ...
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. ...
