Emerging visual artist Abigail Sanchez, known for her unique creative style and exploration of diverse themes, has been honored with the Liu Shiming Scholarship at UCLA for her artistic achievements. The 19-year-old, Los Angeles-based artist explores identity, youth, and self-expression. Her works offer insights into mental health, sexuality, femininity, and adolescent experiences.
Sanchez’s art is characterized by its vibrant colors and intricate compositions that convey strong emotions and stories. From her paintings, we can glimpse the artist’s feelings hidden underneath brushes from multiple-exposure images—a technique that captures ghostly, wondrous emotions that could not be conveyed by traditional narrative photography before the popularization of computer-generated imagery. Sanchez brings the audience to a nostalgic yet novel way with her paintbrushes, depicting the subject’s thoughts on self-perception and emotions, a pioneering experimental charm in traditional oil painting.
Abigail Sanchez, untitled, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 in. Courtesy the artist
Abigail Sanchez, Switch, gouache on wood panel, 8 x 8 in. courtesy the artist
In the interview, Sanchez mentions her preference for oil and charcoal drawings. Her affinity for these mediums is deeply intertwined with her artistic identity. These mediums, the touchiness of brush against canvas, the wet paints, and the solid palette, have been integral to her upbringing and have taken on new meanings. Her works record her growth journey and reflect the acceptance and embrace of her “otherness” identity. When discussing her artistic style, Sanchez emphasizes the importance of art in her life, saying, “Art is a form of self-expression for me, and I carry a sketchbook with me to capture inspiration whenever I can.” She shares details about several ongoing projects, including a self-portrait and a large-scale piece exploring existentialism, which exemplifies her exploration and experimentation with diverse art forms.
Abigail Sanchez. Courtesy the artist
For Sanchez, being awarded the Liu Shiming Scholarship signifies a recognition of her artistic endeavors and also paves a new path in the realm of visual arts. She mentions that this scholarship will equip her with additional resources, facilitating the further advancement of her artistic journey.
For more information about the Liu Shiming Scholarship and the recipients, please visit the Liu Shiming Art Foundation website.
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