Cristina Ariza Dávila

Artist Statement

As a senior artist my life experiences and many memories give me great inspiration. This a special time for reflection and to bloom as an artist. The unique experience of diaspora extends through multiple generations in my family both enriching lives and and bringing numerous challenges of assimilation and acceptance. My South American heritage while gifting me a rich source of culture and cellular memory also weighs heavily in lieu of today's events...there have been many occasions where I have been able to share rich tales of my family and unique experiences of living in Bogota, Colombia in 1977 or sharing recipes and cultural exchange but in equal polarity there have been darker days of struggle and aggressions fueled by cultural differences.
I owe endless gratitude as a first-born American to my parents' courage and family's strength in an unknown land......and I am thankful for all opportunities to tell my life story through Art.