User:UCLAbaddie/Brenda Barrios

Brenda Barrios is a first-generation Mexican-American interdisciplinary artist. Barrios is an artist in multiple facets including photography, painting, videography, and sculpting.

Biography/Education Background: Brenda Barrios is from Pasadena, California and was born in the year 2000. She attended Pasadena City College and then transferred to the University of California Los Angeles’ School of Arts and Architecture graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Art in June 2023 (Kim). Barrios is currently obtaining her Master’s degree from Yale School of Art.

Art Journey: Barrios has always been into Art from a young age and has participated in many non-profit organizations such as Day One in Pasadena to give back to her community. However, Barrios decided to pursue art in higher education and as a career in 2018 when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (Kim). Barrios’ focuses on her chronic illness, social/political movements, and her identity as Mexican-American (Daily Bruin). For example: Barrios has used her social media for political calls to action such as partnering with Rock the Vote to promote voting in Latin-American communities (Daily Bruin). Additionally, the inspiration behind Barrio’s art is not just her own struggles with her disease but she wants to amplify the voices of marginalized groups. Barrios’ art first gained traction when she created a live mural of Frida Kahlo taking a selfie (Kim). Barrios has created countless pieces of art since.

Notable Art:

(All from/on UCLA online exhibit)

Referenes:
 * Hospital Legs (2020)- This sculpture by Brenda Barrios represents her struggle with her autoimmune disease. This piece consists of 4 colorful legs with crooked feet and toes that seem swollen, emphasizing how long she was admitted in the hospital. The sculpture is made from acrylic paint, textile fabric, wood, and paper mache foam. Furthermore, the bright colors can represent her Mexican-American culture.
 * Healed Intestine (2020): Made from textile fabric and wood. This piece consists of 4 “intestines” hanging from a string on a post which could indicate that her autoimmune disease had to do with her GI tract.
 * El Camnino + NOT A HIKE (the walk) (2021): This is an oil painting that shows Brenda Barrios’ dad and tells the story of his immigration to the United States from Mexico.

“Brenda Barrios.” UCLA Department of Art, exhibitions.art.ucla.edu/brenda-barrios/. Accessed 14 Nov. 2023.

Kim, Ashley. “With Bold Strokes, Student Uses Her Art as Medium for Activism.” Daily Bruin, 29 Oct. 2020, dailybruin.com/2020/10/29/with-bold-strokes-student-uses-her-art-as-medium-for-activism.

Meet Brenda Barrios | Artist - Shoutout La, shoutoutla.com/meet-brenda-barrios-artist/. Accessed 25 Nov. 2023.

Orellana, Por: Xiomara. “‘me Lo Merezco’: Hispana Es Seleccionada Por Facebook Para Proyecto de Arte Social.” Univision, 30 Nov. 2021, www.univision.com/shows/primer-impacto/me-lo-merezco-hispana-es-seleccionada-por-facebook-para-proyecto-de-arte-social-video.

Brenda Barrios is a first-generation Mexican-American interdisciplinary artist. Barrios is an artist in multiple facets including photography, painting, videography, and sculpting.
=== Biography/Education Background: Brenda Barrios is from Pasadena, California and was born in the year 2000. She attended Pasadena City College and then transferred to the University of California Los Angeles’ School of Arts and Architecture graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Art in June 2023 (Kim). Barrios is currently obtaining her Master’s degree from Yale School of Art. === Art Journey: Barrios decided to pursue art in higher education and as a career in 2018 when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (Kim). Barrios’ focuses on her chronic illness, social/political movements, and her identity as Mexican-American(Daily Bruin). For example: Barrios has used her social media for political calls to action such as partnering with Rock the Vote to promote voting in Latin-American communities(Daily Bruin). Additionally, the inspiration behind Barrio’s art is not just her own struggles with her disease but she wants to amplify the voices of marginalized groups. Barrios’ art first gained traction when she created a live mural of Frida Kahlo taking a selfie (Kim). Barrios has created countless pieces of art since, notably:

Notable Art:

(All from/on UCLA online exhibit)


 * Hospital Legs (2020)- This sculpture by Brenda Barrios represents her struggle with her autoimmune disease. This piece consists of 4 colorful legs with crooked feet and toes that seem swollen, emphasizing how long she was admitted in the hospital. The sculpture is made from acrylic paint, textile fabric, wood, and paper mache foam.
 * Healed Intestine (2020): Made from textile fabric and wood. This piece consists of 4 “intestines” hanging from a string on a post which could indicate that her autoimmune disease had to do with her GI tract.

El Camnino + NOT A HIKE (the walk) (2021): This is an oil painting that shows Brenda Barrios’ dad and tells the story of his immigration to the United States from Mexico.