Andrea Nhuch
#Frontera

Multidisciplinary visual artist, activist and community organizer. She was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, immigrated to the US at age 21 in 1994, lived in NYC and Miami, and studied at The Art Students League of New York. In addition to her artistic practice Nhuch is engaged in immigration advocacy as part of her political activism. Currently lives and works in Los Angeles with her family, her dog and her materials.

ARTIST´S STATEMENT

I am a visual artist focusing on sculpture and installation, interested in transforming unconventional materials that normally perform utilitarian tasks (mostly used in packaging or construction) into abstract objects. Inspired by fragility, uncertainty and driven by my life experience as an immigrant, I explore in urban settings the concepts of protection, perception, questioning gender roles and values.

My sculptural practice includes works with inflatable plastic (bubble wrap), protective packaging, cement and rods. I create a contrast between the essence of objects and their outward appearances, their envelope. A material that is ubiquitous within the art world, normally used to protect valuable objects, has its function subverted, pointing outward with its glitzy exoskeletons, containing nothing but air. The materials are storytellers and convey messages about who we are, how we relate, the decisions we make, and the impact we are leaving on our environment.

Installation.ABOUT FRONTIER

Together apart; FRONTERA was an incredible experience of reconnection and discovery. As it was also a unique and powerful grounding opportunity. These four sessions in Spanish awakened a very particular feeling in me due to our shared Latin American experience, I really needed it. The online platform was enriching and inspired me to think hard about mental and material boundaries. Special connections with like minded artists were quickly fostered and I hope will be many more interesting collaborations in the future.