User:P3rry0915/Emilia Cruz

Emilia Cruz (1993) is a first-generation Mexican-American artist born in San, Diego, CA.

Early Life
Emilia Cruz was born in San Diego but at the age of, her family moved in with her aunt in Simi Valley(1). Her aunt, Tia Osa, was the first person who believed in Cruz’s artistic abilities, and was even the one who convinced her parents to encourage Cruz to pursuit the arts. Growing up, Cruz struggled with her identity, often times depicting this disconnection in her art (1). She has since been enrolled in an illustration program at the Art Center College of Design.

Career
Emilia Cruz got one of her break throughs after Erik Huerta, a producer of the Netflix TV Show Gentrification, commissioned Cruz for the show (2). Cruz’s work became a main focus of the show.

Cruz participated in the CNN project “Set Humano”, in which she draws multiple latinas of darker skin completions (3). Cruz explains in interview with CNN Español that she was drawn to participate in the program because she could relate to the prompt due to years of discrimination towards her darker skin complexion (3).

Art and Exhibitions
Plaza de la Raza Boathouse Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Futuro Pasado, July 2021, curated by 		Summer Bernal, Jimmy O’Balles, and Juan Escobedo

Self-Help Graphics, Los Angeles, CA, 2020 Vision: Prophecy Manifested, March 2020, curated by Mujeres de Maiz

Tonalli Studio, Los Angeles, CA, Corazón de Melón, February 2020

Centro de Artes, San Antonio, TX, Xicanx, New Visions, February 2020, curated by Dos Mestizx

Avenue 50 Studio, Los Angeles, CA, Mujer: Rights, February 2020

South Pasadena City Hall Galleries, So Pas, CA, Entrelazadas, January 2020, curated by 11:11 A Creative Collective

City Hall Gallery, Pacoima, CA, Fuerza De La Mujer, November 2019 curated by 11:11 A Creative Collective

ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Arte Pare La Gente, October 2019

La Bodega Gallery, San Diego, CA, Perfect 10 Group Show, October 2019

ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, September Group Show, September 2019

Tonalli Studio, Los Angeles, CA, Entering the Goddess Portal, August 2019

La Bodega Gallery, San Diego, CA, Friducha, Frida Inspired Art Show, July 2019

ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Primavera, May 2019

Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery, Seattle, Washington, Chingonas Art Exhibition, May 2019

MCAU Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, We Are Many, March 2019

La Bodega Gallery, San Diego, CA, Chicana: Liberated and Empowered, March 2019

Self Help Graphics & Arts, Los Angeles, CA, Mujeres de Maiz Annual Art Exhibit, March 2019

Tonalli Studio, Los Angeles, CA, Light Flying Backwards, March 2019

ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, 13th Annual Open House, December 2018

ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Las Hijas de La Luna y del Sol, Solo Exhibit, November 2018

ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Frida y Los Muertos, October 2018

Angel City Brewery, Los Angeles, CA, Stories of the Neighborhood, October 2018 curated by Ms.Yellow

ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Autumn Group Show, September 2018

Kaleidoscope Kollective, Los Angeles, CA, That Brown Skin Magia, September 2018

Avenue 50 Studio, Los Angeles, CA, Mis Cuentos, Solo Exhibit, July 2018

ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, 13th Year Anniversary, July 2018

La Bodega Gallery, San Diego, CA, Frida Kahlo Art Show, July 2018

SPARC, Venice, CA, When She Rises, July 2018

ChimMaya Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, I Am Not a Label, April 2018

La Bodega Gallery, San Diego, CA, Chicana: Magia de Mujer, March 2018

Plaza de la Raza, Los Angeles, CA, Viva la Muxer, March 2018 curated by Las Fotos Project