quién se come a quién
Valerie Camila, quién se come a quién, 2023, oil painting on canvas | Photo courtesy of Mike Wing
Valerie Camila
Feature Wall
September 5–November 25, 2023
Fall Feature Wall artist and 4th year Bachelor of Fine Art student Valerie Camila presents the oil painting quién se come a quién (in English, “who eats who”). Captured at a time of transitional light, either early morning or dusk, an everyday moment becomes laden with meaning. The fish act as multivalent symbols, bringing to mind familiar metaphors and particular cultural significance, within a tender depiction of the act of consumption.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Named quién se come a quién (2023) after the Spanish saying, my work uses fish as a representation of self to explore introspection and the pursuit of ease. Translating to ‘who eats who’, this piece addresses self-consumption as a symbol for the complexities and power dynamics influencing femininity and its relation to cultural identity. I adopt the idiom ‘fish out of water’ to create tension through self-directed apprehension. The fish, commonly used cultural symbols of perseverance, become vulnerable in this piece. Acting as a conduit for frustration and empowerment, this personal work depicts the consumption of a self-reflective entity as cathartic.
The raw tilapias and trout hold cultural significance as staples in various Colombian dishes, anchoring the piece to my cultural identity as well as my sentiments of disconnect towards my place and heritage as a Colombian-Canadian woman. The palpable yearning on the figure's face as she eats the fish encapsulates the fervent pursuit of belonging and the disconcerting reality of feeling adrift within one's culture. This intimate piece delves into discourses of identity that often exist at the periphery of mainstream cultural dialogue.
BIOGRAPHY
Exhibition booklet for quién se come a quién | Photo: Courtesy of Mike Wing
Valerie Camila is an emerging Canadian contemporary figurative oil painter and student from Southern Alberta, currently based in Kingston, Ontario, where she is pursuing her BFA (Honours) at Queen’s University. Camila’s work explores self-representation through a unique blend of stylistic brushwork, surreal motifs, and intersecting personal experiences.
Camila’s practice hinges on establishing profound connections between the subjects of her painting. She infuses her figures with vitality—seeking to uncover the unifying idiosyncrasies between them. As a young queer Colombian-Canadian woman, Hispanic subjects take centre stage in her work—capturing resiliency by exploring queer realities, femininity, intimacy, strength, and self-realisation. Camila uncovers the intricate tapestry of human connection, showcasing diverse manifestations of self and celebrating the power of affection.
THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Special thanks to photographer Jester Bulnes, credited for the original reference photo.