In Chroma We Trust
Location: AAA3A Studio Space
Dates: March 6 - September 6, 2021
Paintings & Collages
Recent small hand held collages and large scale acrylic paintings inspired by remnants left behind by my students during papel picado workshops I have guided in the last two years in New York.
Resurgence of Magic
Untitled acrylic paintings (Series of 10)
5 ft. x 5 ft. approx.
2020
5 ft. x 5 ft. approx.
2020
&
Constructing Meaning, Constructing Self: My Resistance
Collages, papel picado remnants, glue, paper
Variable dimensions
2020
Variable dimensions
2020
All photos taken inside BronxArtSpace in Mott Haven, South Bronx by Argenis Apolinario
About my work through the gaze of Professor/artist Charles Gaines from CalArts, written almost twenty years ago, which I believe still stands, describes my process and nature of my work.
“ I knew Blanka many years ago when she was my student in my classes at the California State University, Fresno (1989-1993). She had a curiosity for certain metaphysical questions that emanated from an interest in her own culture and other 'ancient' cultures. I feel that today this interest has blossomed into a personal education into metaphysical systems that belie western rationalism. It has also helped develop a kind of work that attempts to hybridize her own current social situation with metaphysical beliefs that are for her alternatives to western capitalism philosophical and ethical values.
Blanka's work involves this hybridization, as her constructions are mixed of contemporary objects and forms organized to insinuate totemic or ritualistic sites. It is a fascinating project that also uses color richly to emotionalize the works. Although the work is not didactic, they are rhizomatically linked to her own experiences as a minority woman; issues of gender are sensitively located in rich color and highly patterned decorative motifs. ”
Blanka's work involves this hybridization, as her constructions are mixed of contemporary objects and forms organized to insinuate totemic or ritualistic sites. It is a fascinating project that also uses color richly to emotionalize the works. Although the work is not didactic, they are rhizomatically linked to her own experiences as a minority woman; issues of gender are sensitively located in rich color and highly patterned decorative motifs. ”